IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1537730
says. "The Global Electronics Asso- ciation—India is actively engaging with stakeholders to promote quality and building pathways for a skilled workforce." Workforce training will be cen- tral to that success. While the skills gap remains, Gaurab's team has built a strong network of certified Global Electronics Association pro- fessionals who focus on soldering, PCB assembly, and inspection skills. They train thousands of pro- fessionals every year. "We're also partnering with engineering colleges and skill- ing institutions to integrate IPC standards into the curriculum, so that students enter the workforce ready to contribute from day one," he says. "In Malaysia, we've taken a similar approach but with a sharper focus on advanced packaging of semiconductors. We're supporting companies through onsite training." The core issue is the mismatch between what the industry needs and what the traditional education pipeline delivers. The Global Elec- tronics Association bridges that gap by bringing industry-validated con- tent, hands-on training, and certifi- cation that's recognized globally. The Global Electronics Associ- ation—India has hosted several hand-soldering competitions in India and Malaysia, while expand- ing to South Africa and the Middle East. The team has also started a wire harness competition across the region. —Michelle Te diversity are both a challenge and an advantage, so he approaches regions based on their industrial strengths. For example, southern states like Karna- taka and Tamil Nadu are strong in the EMS sector and electronics design, western states like Gujarat and Maharashtra are emerging in semiconductor invest- ments and component manufacturing, and the north- ern belt is gaining traction in consumer electronics and mobile manufacturing. "We tailor our engagement by understanding where each region sits within the supply chain," Gaurab says. "Our programs, whether for standards training, certification, or industry collaboration, are custom- ized to fit local needs." Because of skilled engineering talent, government incentives, and strong demand from domestic and export markets, India has built significant capacity with EMS suppliers, mobile manufacturing, and now increasingly in automotive electronics and EVs. "At the Global Electronics Association, we aim to connect these strengths, linking design to manufac- turing, and large OEMs to MSMEs, so that India can build a more self-reliant and globally competitive electronics ecosystem," Gaurab says. Indian manufacturers would like global companies to view them not just as low-cost manufacturing des- tinations but as strategic partners in innovation, value engineering, and regional supply chain resilience, especially as the region integrates more manufacturers in multi-country operations to leverage the individual strengths of India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. "For instance, design might happen in India, assem- bly in Vietnam, and final testing in Malaysia," Gaurab says. "The Global Electronics Association supports this integration by harmonizing standards and certification programs across the region. Ultimately, the more global companies invest in co-development, training, and eco- system-building here, the more value they'll unlock." Beyond India's Borders "Beyond Asia, we're seeing promising interest from regions like the Middle East and Africa, particularly South Africa, Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, which is investing heavily in local electronics manufacturing and looking to build strong capabilities through part- nerships and global standards," Gaurab says. He's finding similar interest in Australia, where he has engaged with defense and advanced manufac- Read the success story of Thejas K here. C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E 4 5 S U M M E R 2 0 2 5