-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueProduction Software Integration
EMS companies need advanced software systems to thrive and compete. But these systems require significant effort to integrate and deploy. What is the reality, and how can we make it easier for everyone?
Spotlight on India
We invite you on a virtual tour of India’s thriving ecosystem, guided by the Global Electronics Association’s India office staff, who share their insights into the region’s growth and opportunities.
Supply Chain Strategies
A successful brand is built on strong customer relationships—anchored by a well-orchestrated supply chain at its core. This month, we look at how managing your supply chain directly influences customer perception.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Electronics Industry Supports Senate Bill to Advance Workforce Education
July 3, 2018 | IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries, the global industry association representing the $2 trillion global electronics industry, applauds a U.S. Senate committee for its work in advancing a workforce education and training bill.
In a letter to the chairman and ranking minority member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee – Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA), respectively – IPC President and CEO John Mitchell praised the pair for their bipartisan leadership on the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.
“As a training and certification leader, one of IPC’s top priorities is to promote workforce development initiatives, educate and train workers to fill manufacturing jobs, and be innovative in finding ways to close the skills gap,” wrote Mitchell. “Our members, who employ two million individuals throughout the United States, are highly dependent on workers with technical skills with many jobs not requiring an advanced degree in STEM. We appreciate your leadership to address these workforce challenges.”
The electronics industry has been hit particularly hard by a shortage of skilled workers in the United States, with most companies indicating it is constraining their growth and, in some cases, their long-term viability.
“This piece of legislation is hugely important to our industry and the next generation of workers as it will ensure that students have access to critical technical programs that will advance their ability to develop in-demand skills that are essential to 21st century manufacturing,” said IPC’s Senior Director of Education Programs, Colette Buscemi.
To address the workforce shortage, IPC is making unprecedented investments in its education programs, including:
- IPC EDGE Online Platform – IPC is moving toward delivering more of its traditional training and certification programs online and in ways that are more likely to ensure long-term knowledge and skills acquisition.
- Job Task Analysis - IPC is undertaking an analysis of the critical job roles in the electronics industry to map the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform job functions. The outcome of this project will re-shape IPC’s future certification and education programs.
- Earn and Learn – IPC is partnering with academic institutions to develop apprenticeship, internship, and related opportunities that offer valuable skills in concert with academic programs.
- STEM Programming – IPC is working with schools and nonprofits on a variety of programs to get kids excited about STEM subjects and to give them a familiarity with the electronics industry.
- Veterans/Transitioning Military: IPC is supporting activities and programs that seek to recruit veterans into the electronics manufacturing industry.
About IPC
IPC is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 4,300-member company sites which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry. For more information, click here.
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Imec Launches 300mm GaN Program to Develop Advanced Power Devices and Reduce Manufacturing Costs
10/13/2025 | ImecImec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, welcomes AIXTRON, GlobalFoundries, KLA Corporation, Synopsys, and Veeco as first partners in its 300mm gallium-nitride (GaN) open innovation program track for low- and high-voltage power electronics applications.
NEDME Returns October 22 — The Northwest’s Premier Design & Manufacturing Expo
10/13/2025 | NEDMEThe Northwest Electronics Design & Manufacturing Expo (NEDME) returns on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Wingspan Event & Conference Center, Hillsboro. The event brings together engineers, product designers, manufacturers, educators, and community partners for a full day of industry connection, learning, and networking.
Critical Minerals: The New Power Play in Global Trade
10/13/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Access to critical minerals essential for electronics manufacturing, and China’s monopoly of them, is increasingly under scrutiny, with gallium (Ga) and germanium (Ge)at the forefront of this discourse. However, all critical minerals imported from China share a similar narrative, and understanding the implications of this dependency and the risks to both U.S. commercial and defense sectors has created an urgent need for a comprehensive electronics strategy to secure and diversify access to these vital minerals. In this candid interview, USPAE Executive Director Jim Will discusses the issues and the mitigation steps that must be taken to adequately address them.
Precision PCB Acquires Assets of Microplace
10/13/2025 | Precision Technologies Inc.Precision Technologies Inc., doing business as Precision PCB, a One-Stop PCB Fabrication and Assembly services company with 27 years of experience providing Quality, Reliability and Excellence in customer service, has acquired the assets of Microplace, Inc.
Electronics U Expands Global Workforce Training for the Electronics Industry
10/13/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association unveiled Electronics U, the new name and expanded vision for its workforce training and certification platform.