Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1523387
20 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2024 factors. ey've saved time, reduced scrap, and improved the overall quality of training. Johnson: Regarding Revco's dummy training boards, did you develop them yourselves? Ron Gonzales: Yes, absolutely. We've used some of the PCBAs that Omni uses during their training classes. We've also used some of our own scrap boards to introduce different technologies and packages. Omni oen uses the TK-16 IPC J-STD-001 Certification Kit for training because it has different technologies and packages that students can solder and desolder. It's a consistent gauge of skill level. Johnson: It sounds like the TK-16 IPC J-STD-001 Certification Kit is good for a baseline. Do you also test your trainees with other kinds of boards? Ron Gonzales: Yes. We'll take prospective employees through this process prior to hiring. Hoyt: How long does it take to make that hiring decision? Ron Gonzales: It could be within a day or two. We'll briefly discuss candidates who demonstrate the skill set and who would be a better fit. Hoyt: Do you find many people coming to you with experience, or do you find that most new hires have little experience? Ron Gonzales: Well, people sometimes inflate their resumés. It's a balancing act; I want them to show me. Salinas: Many people we hire for the post- solder or soldering position come with experience. However, the experiences of Com- pany A and Company B can be very different. Ron Gonzales: As we know, lead-free is more difficult. e solder joints don't look the same. Just because we see that shiny solder joint doesn't mean it's a pristine joint. We find that the people who come from OEMs are actually at a disadvantage because they've been building the same product over and over. When they get here, they might be doing many different jobs, so they need to be adaptable. Longevity has pros and cons;