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C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E 4 8 S U M M E R 2 0 2 5 Training with Jamie Nicols and Tinika Pittman (with Scott Buetner). In the competitive, fast-paced world of electronics manufacturing, success is often measured in units shipped, defects avoided, and deadlines met. But for Milwaukee Electronics, a company with more than 70 years of history and operations across the U.S., Mexico, and Asia, true success is defined by some- thing deeper: the people who make it all possible. Founded in 1954 in Milwaukee, USA, Wisconsin, Milwaukee Electronics began by integrating elec- tronics into heavy mining equipment. Over the decades, it has evolved into a full-service electron- ics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, offering custom electronics design, printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, and project management. With U.S. offices in Oregon and Wisconsin, as well as in Mexico, Singapore, and India—and a pioneering e-commerce prototype division called Screaming Circuits—the company exemplifies innovation. Still, even for a forward-thinking company, one persistent challenge loomed: developing a skilled, confident, and reliable production workforce, par- ticularly in an industry where many new hires arrive with little to no experience in electronics. "Like many in EMS, we face challenges with recruit- ment and retention," says Michele Winchcomb, Mil- waukee's corporate training and development man- ager. "Many candidates join us without prior industry experience. While some bring transferable skills, oth- ers are learning entirely new concepts, making the steep learning curve a hurdle for talent retention." How Milwaukee Electronics invested in its workforce—and its future By Corey Lynn, Marketing Manager, Global Electronics Association From Onboarding to Empowerment Marisol Rosiles Malagon inspecting parts for correct polarization before running through KISS.