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Many industries have well-defined career path-
ways leading from "What do you want to be when
you grow up?" all the way to "Happy Retirement."
Electronics manufacturing is not one of those indus-
tries. The lack of well-developed education pipe-
lines feeding ready-to-work talent into the industry
leaves electronics manufacturing companies with
little choice but to take on the full burden of training
new workers.
The knowledge and skills needed for careers
in electronics manufacturing are specialized and
evolve frequently. While schools
can prepare entry-level can-
didates in math and com-
munication, these new
workers enter the indus-
try with almost no knowl-
edge about electronics or
manufacturing.
Even the best electrical engi-
neering programs focused on producing quality
engineers lack instruction in practical industry
knowledge.
IPC is committed to addressing the core work-
force-related challenges facing our industry, but
some of these challenges cannot be addressed
quickly. They require systemic change. We recog-
nize the immensity of the problem and are commit-
ted to addressing it long-term. But we also recog-
nize that our industry is facing real problems that
need immediate solutions.
Training is an investment in the quality of your
product. With economic uncertainty tightening
training budgets and a need for quality instruction
that has never been higher, IPC wants to make it eas-
ier for companies to utilize the fundamental training
programs that are necessary for quality electronic
products. Over the last year, our Education Team
developed two new online training programs, ESD
Control for Manufacturing and Safety for Electron-
ics Manufacturing that are free to all IPC and WHMA
members. These programs include engaging online
instruction, access to instructor tools and track-
ing, assessments to validate understanding, and a
traceable credential for auditing purposes.
During August 2022, IP C field-tested thes e
courses with 10 companies. The
reviews were overwhelmingly
positive. Technical training
advisor Keith Jackson at
Ultra Precision Control
Systems in the UK com-
mented, "The ESD course
is relevant, speedy, and inter-
active. The information is presented
clearly, concisely, and to the point. I love how it keeps
you focused and entertained as well. IPC has totally
hit the mark."
These streamlined interactive courses cover the
required topics, and feature three modules each
with a total running length of 40 to 45 minutes per
course. Participants receive a unique serialized cer-
tificate by scoring more than 80% on the final exam.
IPC member companies can access the new
courses through IPC EDGE, IPC's online learning plat-
form used by industry companies to train thousands
of employees across the globe. Both courses are now
available in English, Spanish, French, and German.
Course details and instructions on how to access the
courses are available on Education.ipc.org.
New Training Available
MEMBER BENEFITS
By Dave Hernandez, IPC VP, Education
