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This month, we take you inside the annual trade show of the Global Electronics Association, to preview the conferences, standards, keynotes, and other special events new to the show this year.
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IPC Partners with Stephen F. Austin State University’s CARRI and the IPC Education Foundation for Workforce Development in Electronics Manufacturing
August 23, 2024 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
IPC announces a transformative partnership with Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU)'s engineering department, the IPC Education Foundation and the Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation (CARRI). This collaboration is set to revolutionize workforce development and education in electronics manufacturing, aligning academic programs with industry needs.
Key Objectives of the Partnership Include:
- Enhancing Educational Opportunities: SFASU's engineering curriculum will now integrate IPC's cutting-edge industry standards and certifications, providing students with the skills directly applicable to electronics.
- Fostering Industry-Academic Collaboration: Strengthening ties between academia and the electronics manufacturing industry ensures constant knowledge exchange and a curriculum that meets evolving industry demands.
- Supporting Workforce Readiness: With hands-on training and micro-credentialing opportunities, students are prepared to excel in the fast-paced world of electronics manufacturing.
- Promoting Innovation and Growth: Leveraging diverse expertise and resources, the partnership aims to nurture innovation and expand the talent pool in the electronics manufacturing industry.
Innovative Initiatives for Student Success:
- Curriculum Development: Integration of IPC certification programs into SFASU’s offerings.
- Hands-on Training Opportunities: Practical workshops and micro-credentialing enhance students’ industry readiness.
- Student Engagement and Support: IPC's Education Foundation provides scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Generous Funding and Support:
CARRI has contributed a significant grant to fund this initiative, highlighting its commitment to enhancing education in rural and regional areas.
Weller has donated advanced soldering equipment to enrich SFASU’s engineering workshops further, emphasizing practical skills essential for electronics manufacturing. Colton Clay, Associate Channel Manager, Weller Tools, commented, “Weller is proud to support Stephen F. Austin State University's engineering department by donating state-of-the-art soldering equipment. This contribution underscores our commitment to advancing education and fostering the next generation of skilled professionals in the electronics manufacturing industry.”
Impact on the Electronics Manufacturing Industry:
This partnership is poised to set a benchmark in workforce development, creating a highly skilled pool of graduates ready to tackle industry challenges and contribute to technological advancements.
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EDIP Opens the Door: EU Funding Now Available for Defence Electronics Including PCBs and Substrates
04/21/2026 | Alison James and Chris Mitchell, Global Electronics AssociationThe European Commission has published a call for proposals under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), and for European electronics manufacturers the message is clear: this is real money for real capacity, and PCBs and IC substrates are explicitly in scope. EDIP's Industrial Reinforcement Actions (IRA) dedicate €122.25 million to key electronic components, covering guidance electronics, propulsion electronics, RF and laser modules, multispectral cameras, avionics, PCBs and IC substrates, lithium-ion polymer batteries, power electronics, and critical semiconductor building blocks
Women in Technology: Learning to Just Be Myself
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SMTA Announces 2026 STAR Forum Technical Program
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Breaking the Manual Quoting Bottleneck in Wire Harness
04/15/2026 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineArik Vrobel has spent more than 35 years in wire harness manufacturing—starting in EL-Com, his father's shop, building it into a nationally recognized contract manufacturer, and ultimately selling to Aptiv/Winchester in 2021. But retirement didn't last long. Within months, Arik was back, not as a manufacturer this time, but as a technologist. His new company, Cableteque, is building the quoting and data automation platform he always wished existed.