-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueBreaking High-speed Material Constraints
Do you need specialty materials for your high-speed designs? Maybe not. Improvements in resins mean designers of high-speed boards can sometimes use traditional laminate systems. Learn more in this issue.
Level Up Your Design Skills
This month, our contributors discuss the PCB design classes available at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. As they explain, these courses cover everything from the basics of design through avoiding over-constraining high-speed boards, and so much more!
Opportunities and Challenges
In this issue, our expert contributors discuss the many opportunities and challenges in the PCB design community, and what can be done to grow the numbers of PCB designers—and design instructors.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
IPC Publishes Comprehensive Strategy to Address Electronics Industry’s Global Workforce Challenge
April 10, 2024 | IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
One of the most difficult and urgent challenges facing the electronics industry is a chronic shortage of adequately skilled workers. Today, IPC unveiled an expansion of its strategy to address the workforce challenges of the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry and called on its more than 3,000 member companies to join in the effort.
IPC sets out a solutions-focused workforce plan in a white paper written by David Hernandez, IPC vice president of education, Carlos Plaza, IPC senior director of education and Dr. John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO. The paper, “Building Electronics Better: A Plan to Address the Workforce Challenges Facing the Electronics Manufacturing Industry,” targets both immediate labor market needs and the long-term sustainability and growth of the industry by building a skilled, adaptable, and motivated workforce. IPC’s ambitious approach is focused on developing rewarding career pathways.
“IPC is the largest provider of education and workforce development in our industry,” said John W. Mitchell. “We credential more than 145,000 people per year, and we recently secured federal recognition for three registered apprenticeship programs. But we can’t do it alone – we’re calling on our partners in industry, academia, and government to join us on this critically important journey.”
“Significant challenges, including the lack of a well-defined school-to-industry pipeline, have contributed to industry workforce shortages that constrain the industry's growth and lead to increased production costs,” said David Hernandez. “IPC is delivering a multifaceted approach to recruitment and training. This is essential if we are to turn current socioeconomic, demographic, and cultural trends into opportunities for growth.”
According to the white paper, rising demand for electronic devices across the commercial, healthcare, automotive, and industrial sectors will see the global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) market grow from about $534 billion in 2023 to $856 billion in 2030. Key elements of IPC’s plan include:
- Talent Pipeline: Establishing partnerships between educational institutions, businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to ensure a steady flow of skilled workers into the electronics manufacturing industry.
- Career Pathways: Developing clear and structured career pathways that outline progression from entry-level positions to advanced roles, enhancing the visibility of career advancement opportunities within the industry.
- Training and Education: Prioritizing the development of industry-defined training programs that equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge, including both technical and soft skills.
- Dispelling Myths: Launching outreach efforts to improve the perception of manufacturing careers, highlighting the innovative aspects of the industry, and addressing misconceptions about manufacturing jobs.
- Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration between government, academia, and industry to speed the transition of students and trainees into the workforce, including internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs.
- Standardized Credentials: Supporting the adoption of universally recognized, stackable credentials that validate the competencies and skills of qualified job candidates.
The electronics industry is gathering this week at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. Held in Anaheim from April 6–11, IPC APEX EXPO features a world-class trade show, a cutting-edge technical conference, and impactful keynote speakers. This year’s event boasts the largest gathering of leading electronics manufacturers, suppliers, and product innovators, a high-quality technical conference with peer-reviewed paper presentations, and professional development courses focused on innovation to build electronics better.
Suggested Items
IPC APEX EXPO Retrospective: The Founders Look Back
05/30/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineIPC APEX EXPO 2024 will soon feel like a distant memory, and by all accounts, it was a good show with an impressive display of technical knowledge. During the show, I visited with industry icons and IPC Hall of Fame recipients Dan Feinberg and Gene Weiner, who were among the original visionaries and founders of what became APEX EXPO. These individuals took me on a funny and engaging historic journey and a glimpse into how we arrived today.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Electrification of Automobiles: Challenges and Solutions
05/30/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGrace O'Malley, VP of technical operations for iNEMI, shines a light on the electrification of automobiles, the need for industry alignment, standardization, and collaboration to tackle challenges. She mentions issues from a recent workshop, changing use cycles, longer vehicle lifespan, and the role of OEMs and the supply chain. Grace also highlights the importance of collaboration and appreciates the opportunity to work with industry leaders.
Remembering Michael Gasch: Europe's Foremost PCB Industry Expert
05/30/2024 | EIPCKnown and appreciated far beyond the European electronics industry, Michael Gasch initially worked at DYNAMIT NOBEL AG from 1971 to 1988, including 11 years as sales manager for electrical melting products in Troisdorf and 6 years as managing director and regional representative for Southeast Asia at DYNAMIT NOBEL Singapore. B
AIM Solder Joins International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI)
05/29/2024 | AIMAIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials, is proud to announce its membership with the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI).
Micron Expands Workforce Development Collaborations to Meet Future Semiconductor Job Demand
05/29/2024 | MicronMicron Technology, Inc., one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies and the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory, today announced a strategic expansion in workforce development initiatives to diversify the semiconductor workforce and build a robust talent pipeline through education and career reentry initiatives.