IFTEC: Taking Training to New Heights in France
July 24, 2024 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Like many nations, France has suffered from a global marketing misnomer: Electronics manufacturing can be done cheaper and better in Asia; therefore, education, financial resources, legislation, and business ventures should be shifted to other important industries.
Yet electronics are so ubiquitous that they have become like "salt in the sea," says Pierre-Jean Albrieux, president of IFTEC, a French company and resources and training center specializing in the manufacturing processes of electronics (PCBA, PCB, and design). “It is present everywhere, so we end up not seeing it anymore.”
This has been quite evident in France, which has traditionally been populated with large OEMs in many sectors, a handful of PCB fabricators, and nearly 500 EMS providers. Technology fuels growth across diverse sectors in this European country, from manufacturing and automation to digital transformation, renewable energy, healthcare, transportation, aerospace, and cybersecurity.
France is well known for its defense and aviation industries, like Airbus, Safran, and Dassault. It is also the fourth-largest automobile manufacturer globally, home to companies like Peugeot and Renault.
Companies like IFTEC can easily note and understand fluctuations in the electronics manufacturing market because it tracks the number of people trained per year.
At the beginning of the deindustrialization of the mid-1990s, for example, IFTEC trained 681 people per year. In 2003, little had changed, with 690 trained in that year. But by 2010, the number of trainings increased to 1,049; in 2023, it was 1,711.
“This may mean that there has been a movement of labor forces from mass production structures,” Pierre-Jean says. “Electronics manufacturing has not disappeared at all. It probably decreased and restructured for various applications. We can add environmental considerations, such as the need to produce locally, or geopolitical considerations, but one thing is certain: There will always be electronics manufacturing in France.”
Read the rest of this article, part of a special focus on France in the Summer issue of IPC Community.
Suggested Items
Incap Estonia Recognized with Second Golden Label for Responsible Business
06/27/2025 | IncapIncap Electronics Estonia has been awarded a golden label by the Responsible Business Forum in Estonia for the second time. The responsible business label is a prestigious symbol in Estonia that identifies entrepreneurs and organisations that demonstrate excellence in environmental, social, and economic responsibility.
TRI Unveils New Multi-Camera AOI, TR7500 SIII Ultra
06/27/2025 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading test and inspection systems provider for the electronics manufacturing industry, proudly introduces the new TR7500 SIII Ultra.
TT Electronics Achieves ISO 13485 Medical Certification at Mexicali EMS Facility
06/27/2025 | TT ElectronicsThis milestone underscores TT Electronics’ commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant, and reliable manufacturing solutions to its global customers in healthcare and life sciences.
PCBA Market to Reach $147.5 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2025
06/27/2025 | PRNewswireThe Printed Circuit Board Assembly market is projected to reach $147.5 billion by 2035, up from an estimated $90.91 billion in 2025, growing at a steady CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period.
Scanfil Strengthens its Customer Portfolio in Medtech & Life Science by Signing Agreement with Liquid Instruments
06/27/2025 | BUSINESS WIREScanfil and Liquid Instruments have signed a manufacturing outsourcing agreement for Scanfil’s Melbourne plant in Australia. This agreement supports Liquid Instruments’ strategy to onshore production of its flagship Moku platform, strengthening domestic supply chains and bringing manufacturing closer to its research and development hub.