Flexible Thinking: The Key to a Successful Flex Circuit Design Transfer
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
Zentech First to Adopt IPC Apprenticeship National Program Standards
May 20, 2024 | Cory Blaylock, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
IPC achieved a landmark in 2023 by creating an apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. With such a registered framework in place, industry can work through IPC to secure local, state, and federal dollars for workforce development in a way they’ve never been able to do before.
The response from industry has been enthusiastic. Zentech Manufacturing, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, with production facilities in Bloomington, Illinois, and Richardson, Texas, is the first employer partner to adopt IPC’s national program. IPC is working with Zentech to secure grant funding that will help offset the costs incurred with training. Stephanie Austin, marketing director, helps explain Zentech’s excitement for jumping on board so quickly.
What motivated Zentech to become an early adopter?
Stephanie Austin: We recognize what has been talked about for years: Our workforce is aging, and many Millennials and Gen-Zers don’t know the benefits of a career in manufacturing. We also know that these generations approach the market differently than their predecessors, so it was important that we alter our approach to attract a new generation of workers.
Raising awareness about careers in manufacturing has been a focus on our blog, “Manufacturing Careers on the Factory Floor,” where Zentech employees tell their success stories and why they love their jobs in manufacturing. We also recently published an article on our blog and IPC’s blog titled, “Manufacturing a Creative Workforce Development Strategy.” It discusses our ideas for a different approach to finding talent.
Zentech is a leader in many areas. The apprenticeship program seemed like the next logical step for us in demonstrating what we believe: to be ambassadors of our company and the industry and lead by example.
Read more about the company's experience with apprentices in the Spring 2024 issue of IPC Community.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Bridging the Gap Between PCB Designers and Fabricators
04/03/2025 | Stephen V. Chavez, Siemens EDAWith today’s advanced EDA tools, designing complex PCBs in the virtual world does not necessarily mean they can be built in the real world. This makes the relationship between a PCB designer and a fabricator pivotal to the success of a project. In keeping with solid design for manufacturing (DFM) practices, clear and frequent communication is needed to dial and lock in design constraints that meet expectations while addressing manufacturing concerns.
Tata Electronics Appoints KC Ang as President and Head of Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing
04/03/2025 | PRNewswireTata Electronics Private Limited, a pioneer in the Indian electronics and semiconductor manufacturing sector, announced the appointment of KC Ang as President and Head of its Foundry business - Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited reporting to Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD of Tata Electronics.
Statement from IPC on ‘Liberation Day’ Pressing for Domestic Manufacturing Strategy
04/03/2025 | IPCIPC, a global electronics association dedicated to furthering the competitive excellence and financial success of more than 3,200 members, shared the following statement today on U.S. tariffs and their implications on the global electronics industry. It can be attributed to Richard Cappetto, IPC senior director of North American government affairs:
Connect the Dots: Stop Killing Your Yield—The Hidden Cost of Design Oversights
04/03/2025 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsI’ve been in this industry long enough to recognize red flags in PCB designs. When designers send over PCBs that look great on the computer screen but have hidden flaws, it can lead to manufacturing problems. I have seen this happen too often: manufacturing delays, yield losses, and designers asking, “Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner?” Here’s the thing: Minor design improvements can greatly impact manufacturing yield, and design oversights can lead to expensive bottlenecks. Here’s how to find the hidden flaws in a design and avoid disaster.
IPC Releases March 2025 Global Sentiment of the Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report
04/02/2025 | IPCThis past March, electronics industry demand strengthened to its highest level in nearly a year, indicating strong expansion in customer and manufacturing activity according to IPC’s [IPC-Current-Sentimen-Global-EMSChain0525.pdf] March Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report.