Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1038326
110 PCB007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2018 After months of working with legislators in the United States to ensure our industry is well represented, I am pleased to say that we have been successful in our efforts—particularly concerning defense electronics and workforce education. The work of industry and IPC mem- bers cannot be understated. By telling real-life stories to legislators, you provided valuable in- put on how their constituents are affected by what happens in the electronics manufactur- ing industry. Regarding defense electronics, the U.S. pres- ident recently signed legislation that will bring long-term focus to military electronics—specif- ically Section 845 of the FY2019 National De- fense Authorization Act (NDAA), which calls on the Secretary of Defense to prepare a report on the health of the U.S. defense electronics in- dustrial base. The report must include a plan to formalize the long-term resourcing and mis- sion of the Executive Agent, the principal De- fense Department entity charged with assuring the security and availability of printed circuit and interconnect technologies for defense elec- tronics. IPC continues to provide industry data and opportunities for U.S. legislators to hear directly from our members. In workforce education, the U.S. Con- gress sent legislation to the president that will strengthen workforce education train- ing efforts. The President signed the Perkins Strengthening Career and Technical Educa- tion (CTE) for the 21st Century Act. This was another issue that benefited from our mem- ber company executives explaining to leaders in Congress and the Administration how the skills gap is constraining the growth of their companies, and in some cases, their long-term IPC Legislative Victories Reached with Outstanding Member and Industry Support One World, One Industry by John Mitchell, IPC—Association Connecting Electronics Industries