-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- I-Connect007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current Issue
Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
March Madness
From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - I-Connect007 Magazine
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.
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/01/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007If it feels like the PCB industry is accelerating faster than ever, you’re not imagining it. From advanced materials driven by AI applications to renewed investment in domestic manufacturing—and the next generation stepping into critical roles—there’s a lot shifting at once. My selections for this week highlight where the pressure points are forming, and where the opportunities are emerging.
The Missing Connection: Wire Harness Quoting Joins the Digital Age
05/01/2026 | Joanne Harris, Tech-2marketingWalk the floor of a modern wire harness manufacturing facility, and the investment in technology is hard to miss. Automated wire cutting and stripping machines process thousands of cuts an hour with sub-millimeter precision. Computerized crimping presses deliver consistent, validated terminations that a hand tool never could. Laser wire markers, automated test benches, and vision-guided assembly stations represent hundreds of thousands of dollars of capital investment, all in service of building a better harness faster and more reliably than the competition.
EPTAC Expands. New HQ in Salem, NH, Draws Industry Leaders
04/30/2026 | EPTAC CorporationEPTAC, a global leader in electronics manufacturing training, has opened its new corporate headquarters and training facility in Salem, New Hampshire, expanding its capacity to support workforce development across North America.
From Backbone to Breakthroughs: I-Connect007 Wraps PCB Materials Series with Focus on Innovation
04/30/2026 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 wraps up its six-part podcast series, PCB Materials: The Backbone and Future of Electronics, with Episode 6 and a discussion focusing on innovation. In Episode 6, Marcy LaRont speaks with Isola CTO Kirk Thompson about a critical turning point for the PCB industry as innovation accelerates. As data rates climb and demands from AI infrastructure, power density, flexible electronics, photonics, and chiplet integration intensify, traditional material assumptions are no longer sufficient.
Global Electronics Association and CalcuQuote, an Elisa Industriq Business, Launch Joint Supply Chain Intelligence Initiative
04/29/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association and CalcuQuote, Elisa Industriq today announced a partnership to deliver timely, actionable supply chain intelligence for the electronics industry.