One Designer’s Journey With IPC Apprenticeships

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

At Re:Build Manufacturing, the commitment to workforce development is evident in its adoption of apprenticeships. The company has 26 registered apprentices across seven occupations. One of its business units, AppliedLogix, showcases that innovation isn’t just about creating cutting-edge electronics—it’s also about investing in people. The team has embraced the IPC PCB Design Engineer Apprenticeship program, a unique pathway that combines hands-on training with IPC’s world-class curriculum.

The result is a growing pipeline of talented professionals ready to tackle the challenges of PCB design. Let’s take a closer look at the program in action through the story of an apprentice who’s making waves in his new career.

Meet Steve Chirpich: Following a Passion for PCB Design
If you’d told Steve Chirpich a year ago that he would be designing printed circuit boards, he might have been surprised. After deciding to make a career change to follow his passion for technology and PCB layout design, Steve took a leap into the high-tech world of electronics manufacturing.

Now, Steve is thriving as a PCB design engineer apprentice at Re:Build AppliedLogix. His journey into this new field has been nothing short of transformative.

"This program has been a game-changer," Steve says. "The hands-on training and mentorship I’ve received have given me a solid foundation in PCB design. I’m not just learning skills; I’m building the confidence to contribute to real projects. I’m excited to keep growing and refining my expertise."

And grow he has. Steve is already making an impact on critical projects, proving that the apprenticeship model works—not just for apprentices, but for employers too.

To read this entire article, which appeared in the February 2025 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.