IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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9 4 C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E FA L L 2 0 2 5 group, we've now expanded the effort, rolling out new apprenticeship programs in partnership with the Global Electronics Association. What we've learned can help others across the manufacturing industry build and implement apprenticeships to solve their workforce challenges—in ways that help fulfill the president's vision for a stronger American apprenticeship system. First, it's important to think of investing in appren- ticeships as a competitive advantage, leading to both a talented workforce and a culture of learning. We've seen those benefits firsthand: 93% of apprentices who complete our program remain employed with us, reducing turnover and recruitment costs. As appren- tices earn industry-recognized certifications, we've also seen fewer errors and greater efficiency on the production floor. With support from state and fed- eral programs, we've also reduced upfront training expenses and received financial incentives for each apprentice trained, all while building a workforce with the skills and readiness our operations require. Second, think expansively about who your appren- tices should be. Because the training is provided on-the-job, apprentices can have a wide range of backgrounds—whether they have hands-on experi- ence but no formal credentials, or no prior exposure to electronics at all. The apprenticeship model gives them a path to a new career, while both earning and learning at the same time. One of our apprentices, for example, came from retail and was looking for a more stable career. Today, she's mastering soldering and printed circuit board assembly, key skills on our production floor. "This program gave me a career path I never imagined," she says. These stories reflect what apprenticeship can offer: a way to help businesses develop the talented work- force they need while creat- ing real economic opportu- nity for individuals. With the success of our first 20 apprentices, we're continuing to bring more talent into the field in Florida. But just as importantly, we hope that others in the industry can expand on what we've learned and build their own apprenticeship programs. For manufacturers looking to stay competitive, apprenticeship offers a practical way to build capabilities, strengthen teams, and invest in the long-term health of the industry. (This article originally appeared in the Tampa Bay Times in Florida, on Aug. 14, 2025.) I N T H E N E W S TX OK LA ND SD NE KS MN IA MO IL WI AR MS CT WV NJ VT NH MA RI AL FL GA SC KY VA IN OH MI PA NY ME NC MD DE TN MT WY UT CO AZ AK HI WA OR NV CA NM LEGEND Current RAP ID We're Working! The Global Electronics Association has apprenticeship programs in the states marked in green, and is actively working to secure programs in more states. We've seen those benefits firsthand: 93% of apprentices who complete our program remain employed with us, reducing turnover and recruitment costs. —Lea Tavani