Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1535954
Bert Horner is a seasoned industry veteran and co-creator of The Test Connection, Inc. (TTCI), a test and inspection com- pany established over 45 years ago. In this candid conversation, Bert reflects on the challenges our industry faces with the retire- ment of career professionals and the subsequent loss of crit- ical operational wisdom. As he unveils The Training Connection's innovative training initiatives, Bert emphasizes the importance of evolving educational programs that align with industry needs, particularly in design for test (DFT), and sheds light on strategies being implemented to foster the next generation of engineers. Barry Matties: Bert, welcome. Let's start by talking briefly about the history of The Test Connection. Bert Horner: It was started by my father, Bill Horner, 45 years ago, and I've been here for over 30 years myself. I grew up working in the electronics industry, start- ing at the technician level, then getting my degree and becoming an engineer, then becoming an applications person, and finally going into the business side. We participated in industry Interview by Barry Matties Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Test: A Conversation with Bert Horner organizations like IPC, SMTA, and IEEE, and we noticed gaps: Men- toring programs that existed in the '80s and early '90s were gone, and there was a loss of connection, that legacy knowl- edge. While you see people in their 70s and 80s coming back into the industry, you know there is a brain drain, and the young engineer is learning it again for the first time. Some of our customers in the test world asked if we would come up with something to help on the assmbly side. We saw opportunities and asked, "How can we help address that need?" That's when we came up with the concept of a training com- pany we call The Training Con- nection. It has its own business model, separate from The Test Connection.