84 PCB007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2018
most popular courses. This library is continu-
ally growing as additional courses are created
regularly. From entry level personnel to execu-
tives, IPC EDGE users are provided with knowl-
edge that will support learning goals that ap-
plied directly to their work. This includes prep-
aration for CIS (Certified IPC Specialist) certifi-
cation, the most recognized IPC certification in
the electronics industry.
IPC EDGE courses instruct on topics such
as: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), Control for
Electronics Assembly, Introduction to Hand
Soldering, FOD Prevention in Electronics As-
sembly, Surface Mount Solder Joint Quality
Standards, Counterfeit Components, and Com-
ponent Identification, among many others.
Ne
w courses are in development to provide
the knowledge and skills needed to prepare
the next generation of workers for success
in the electronics industry and close today's
skill gap.
PCB007
References
1. U.S. third-quarter economic growth fast-
est in three years, Reuters, Nov. 29, 2017.
2. Current U.S. economic recovery may end
up as longest ever, MarketWatch, July 19, 2016.
3. The pace of growth in the global economy
is unlikely to be sustained, The Economist,
December 13, 2017.
4. The Skills Gap in the U.S. Manufacturing,
2015 and Beyond, Deloitte Manufacturing In-
stitute.
5. IPC Pulse Survey Reveals Bullish Outlook
for Equipment and PCB Manufacturers, Octo-
ber 26, 2017.
6. IPCs U.S. Skills Gap Study Reveals Skills and
Qualifications in Short Supply, April 27, 2017.
7. 115
th
Congress/Senate Bill S.1352 – Ap-
prenticeship and Jobs Training Act of 2017.
8. H.R. 5587–Strengthening Career and Tech-
nical Education for the 21
st
Century Act.
9. One World, One Industry: Three Ways to
Close the Skills Gap in U.S. Manufacturing.
10. IPC to Launch STEM Outreach Program
at IPC APEX EXPO 2018.
11. STEM Education Coalition.
12. IPC EDGE.
John Mitchell is president and CEO
of IPC—Association Connecting
Electronics Industries. To read past
columns or to contact Mitchell,
click here.
The growing complexity of space opera-
tions, coupled with an increased need for time-
ly decisions, demands innovative approaches to
help
battle
management command and control
(BMC2) technologies. To help ensure future U.S.
technological and strategic superiority, DARPA's
Hallmark program seeks to develop revolution
-
ary tools and technologies to plan, assess, and
e
xecute
U.S. military opera-
tions in space.
The pr
ogram
has com-
pleted initial research and
a
warded
Phase 1 contracts
to 11 organizations, which
both augment existing com
-
DARPA's Hallmark Seeks to Revolutionize
U.S. Space Enterprise Command and Control
mercial technologies and pursue entirely new
capabilities. Hallmark has released a Broad
Agency Announcement seeking additional tech
-
nologies for potential inclusion.
"Twenty-first-century space BMC2 must en-
able commanders to quickly understand and
handle
situations
by optimizing delivery and
presentation of crucial information aimed at
making decisions, and then
provide flexible options for
effective, timely response,"
said Lt. Col. Jeremy Raley,
program manager in DAR
-
PA's Tactical Technology Of-
fice (TTO).
