Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1498238
20 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2023 ments as we recruit talent and build a renewed interest in our vital electronics manufacturing industry. Our enthusiastic industry veterans are shar- ing what gets them excited to come to work. Many of our subject matter experts have made themselves available to a new workforce. How can we amplify this enthusiasm and knowl- edge sharing? SMTA has structured programs through local chapter meetings, regional expos, and national and international conferences that bring peo- ple together. ese opportunities allow indi- viduals and companies to expand their connec- tions and create relationships at all levels, and this can be a true differentiator in a workforce development crisis. I recently heard this phrase: "Create an envi- ronment that first drives interest in our indus- try and then drives an employee's investment to stay." It has resonated with me and le me asking important questions about what more we need to do, and how and where we can help. I believe we must combine forces; a partner- ship among industry, academia, and govern- ment entities will create a more far-reaching impact than an individual agency. We recognize that different regions of the United States have unique challenges to over- come when it comes to hiring and training. Workforce needs in the upper peninsula of Michigan are different than needs in the central corridor of Florida or Boston or Silicon Valley. SMTA, along with the Electronics Manufac- turing Technical Education project (EMTE), is leveraging the strength of local and regional volunteers to address these challenges and cre- ate more connections. It's proving to be a suc- cessful strategy. We're expanding from our core mission to connect industry and academia to build inter- est in training and educational programs that demonstrate potential career paths. SMTA encourages its membership to review the core principles, then adapt them in a way that sup- ports their particular needs. Michigan Tech already had a successful pro- gram but opted to expand its reach to include Gogebic Community College. e two schools work with local electronics manufacturing companies to build interest and skill sets for post-secondary students and others new to the industry. rough this partnership, they strategize ideas for training and educational programs that have now become part of the college curriculum and can be used to train incoming employees unfamiliar with the elec- tronics industry. rough a partnership with Palomar Col- lege, multiple SMTA chapters in California help students network with local industry to build connections for job placement aer grad- uation. Local employers are leveraging the PCB design course offered at Palomar to train Going for ice cream is a favorite networking activity. Yum!