Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1506834
46 SMT007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2023 is necessary to accelerate process innova- tion and the migration to the factory of the future, which promises to further stimu- late regional demand. 4. Ensuring a Skilled Workforce Supporting the existing workforce needs while also preparing the next generation work- force is a significant challenge across Europe's manufacturing base. ere is a need to address the potential shortage of skilled employees in EMS and PCB manufacturing: • To increase the visibility and the attrac- tiveness of these fields while at the same time kick-starting new initiatives to attract both technicians and graduates in these industries • To develop and implement training pro- grams to provide students and workers with in-depth knowledge of the manufac- turing processes required to achieve complex designs and to keep up with new technologies and processes • To have lifelong training, up-skilling and reskilling of the workforce in order to make full use of workforce availability 5. Ensuring a Level Playing Field in Global Trade European PCB companies report that they are disadvantaged by EU customs tariffs. Com- panies pay tariffs on the import of base materi- als used to produce PCBs, but there are no tar- iffs on bare PCBs that are imported for assem- bly. Base materials must be imported as local supply chains cannot fulfill the demand. is disparity makes it even more difficult for Euro- pean PCB companies to compete with foreign competitors on price. is disparity could be addressed by consideration of a: • Tariff Suspension with End Use for PCB manufacturing for the import of base materials necessary for PCB production: › 7409190000: Copper-clad epoxy impregnated glass fabric base material: Tariff 4.80% › 74102100: Copper-clad: Tariff 5.2% › 3921190099: Rolls of epoxy impregnated glass fabric (prepreg): Tariff 6.5% Further dialogue among industry and gov- ernment leaders is needed to find solutions that will provide a more level playing field in a com- petitive global marketplace and enable sustain- able re-industrialisation of the EU. Many gov- ernments offer subsidies and domestic sourc- ing requirements that disadvantage European companies. 6. RD&I In addition to equipment/machinery there will be an increasing need for investments in RD&I to ensure that European PCB and EMS companies can continue to accommo- date advancements in semiconductor fabrica- tion and other technological advancements. Dedicated programmes for PCB and EMS are required. is RD&I should focus on: • Ultra high density interconnect (UHDI) PCBs • IC substrates, IC substrate-like PCBs and advanced packaging • Ultra high density electronic assemblies • Next generation materials • Ecodesign Next Steps e stakeholder group also underscores the importance of a follow-up meeting of the Elec- tronics Dialogue this Autumn to further build on initial policy recommendations and finalize private sector commitments and policy rec- ommendations. Specifically, the meeting and industry's work in advance should serve to: 1. Set targets for the European share of global EMS and PCB production: e Chips Act sets an ambitious and much-needed Euro-