Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1437606
DECEMBER 2021 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 91 ways. We have this whole hierarchy that, say, if you're new to design, here's the information you need to build the basic skills. Once you have a little bit of expe- rience in design, here are some of the courses. We have online live courses and certification programs that allow you to li your skills. If you're an advanced designer, there's a whole slew of special- izations that you can get training in. at's building a pathway. If you want a career in design, for example, what's your next step, and the next aer that? We are providing education pathways along the way. Upskilling is training workers on new methods, machines, and materials to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market. Our industry changes all the time, and we need to provide courses, information, and education to make sure that engineers have the latest skills avail- able, giving them and their company a leading edge. at whole suite of educational offerings helps someone as they evolve from those who are new engineers, operators, or technicians to those who need to develop more advanced skills, getting them up to speed and engaged, as well as caring for them along their path in the electronics industry. Matties: It's great seeing these young engineers and the STEM students, frankly, at the show. e enthusiasm in which they're participating is noticeable. Mitchell: Let me share some insight on our vol- unteers. We see a lot of people reaching retire- ment age. What happens when they retire? What's le of the industry? What happens to standards committees? We've been doing the Emerging Engineer Program for a while and each year it continues to grow, which we find very gratifying. Not only because of the num- ber of participants, but because you have cross- company mentors, where people are spending their time to help these newer folks get more experience in the industry. Matties: at makes a big difference right there. Mitchell: It does. Being concerned about hav- ing another 60+ years ahead of us, we surveyed how many years of experience each committee member has. I expected to see that 80% have more than 20 years of experience on these standards committees. I was wrong. It's bal- anced from an industry experience perspec- tive. We thought, "We don't have a problem to solve here." We have people with a little bit of experience, mid-experience, mid-senior, and super senior. at's the perfect combination. We will continue to monitor it, but it was so good to see it wasn't a situation with 80% of the people retiring in the next five years. at's not the case. Matties: at is good news. Now, as you look forward to 2022, what do you think the industry