IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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IPC COMMUNITY 77 WINTER 2025 a competitive edge, making them workforce-ready upon graduation. Strategic Industry Integration By embedding IPC certification standards into its coursework, SFASU has made significant strides in aligning educational outcomes with real-world industry requirements. The certified faculty mem- bers have begun revising and improving the curric- ulum, ensuring students receive up-to-date train- ing that reflects current industry practices. Hands-on Training and Workforce Readiness The project has included practical, hands-on training sessions facilitated by state-of-the-art equipment donated by Weller Equipment. This aspect of the program was particularly beneficial in reinforcing theoretical knowledge through practical application, and both students and fac- ulty greatly appreciated it. "This is precisely what a regional comprehen- sive university should be doing," says Dr. Lorenzo Smith, SFASU provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. "It is connecting with industry to ensure that our students are well prepared not just to have the knowl- edge they get from the textbooks but also to couple that knowledge with practical skills needed in their chosen industry." Building Sustainable Futures Looking ahead, there are plans to extend these educational advance- ments by establishing a student chapter at SFASU under IPC's Edu- cation Foundation. This chapter will provide fur- ther scholarships, men- torship, and networking opportunities within the industry, setting a solid foundation for regional innovation and growth. "At Lockheed Mar- tin, we understand that the foundation of our industry success is a highly skilled and well-prepared workforce," says Todd Laird, production operations manager, Lockheed Martin–MFC, Lufkin Operations, which is directly benefitting from the partnership. "The partnership between SFASU's engineering department, IPC, the IPC Education Foundation, and CARRI is not just an academic collaboration. It's a strategic investment in the future of our industry that fosters a strong relationship between industry and academia and creates a talent pipeline that's critically important to our operations in Lufkin, east Texas, and beyond." A Model for Future Collaboration The SFASU-IPC initiative serves as a compelling model of how academic institutions can effectively collaborate with industry leaders to enhance edu- cational programs and meet workforce needs. This partnership promises continued advancements in educational offerings and industry alignment and prepares a skilled workforce ready to tackle the challenges of the modern world. For further information on this groundbreaking initiative, please contact Victoria Hawkins, direc- tor of workforce grants and proposals at IPC.