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Best Practices Highlighted at the 2020 IPC EMS Management Meeting
March 18, 2020 | Tracy Riggan, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
EMS leaders gathered for a jam-packed agenda at the EMS Management Meeting on February 3 at IPC APEX EXPO 2020 and highlighted workforce, policy, economic, and technology best practices. John Mitchell, IPC president and CEO, welcomed the group, introducing key IPC team and resource additions for EMS leaders, including Shawn DuBravac, chief economist, and Matt Kelly, chief technologist. The day proceeded with presenters on topics from the economy and process technology to cybersecurity and workforce issues and included two EMS member spotlights highlighting best practices from peers.
Mark Wolfe, director of supply management at John Deere Electronic Solutions, said, “Throughout a fast-moving day that covered a broad range of topics, it was great to see the high level of energy among a healthy mix of repeat and new attendees.” He continued, “The willingness of the group to openly share experiences—whether through organized roundtable sessions, speaker Q&A sessions, or informal conversations—is always one of the things that I am impressed with meeting after meeting. It is a pleasure to host a group of EMS leaders who are clearly passionate about the success of their own companies but still so committed to improving the overall industry.”
Workforce Challenges: A Top Priority
The key challenge at the top of EMS leaders’ minds during roundtable discussions was the lack of skilled workers. Leaders brainstormed solutions like creative identification and sourcing of talent outside of the manufacturing sphere, leveraging the flexibility of smaller businesses to make changes attractive to potential employees as well as cooperation with IPC and other talent development programs. John Mitchell updated the group on the IPC Education Foundation (IPCEF) and workforce initiatives to build and support workforce needs. The group welcomed Andy Marris of MRA, who discussed motivating and engaging an existing workforce to create a competitive advantage.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the 2020 issue of Real Time with...IPC Show & Tell Magazine, click here.
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