IPC Asia’s Talent Development Program Opens Pathways to a More Qualified Workforce
March 14, 2025 | Evelyn Cui, IPC AsiaEstimated reading time: 1 minute

As global technological innovation and industrial transformation in the electronics sector accelerate, talent shortages become increasingly apparent, creating a bottleneck that hampers the growth of enterprises and affects the overall competitiveness of the industry.
In Asia, the contradiction between the rapid development of the electronics manufacturing industry and the shortage of talent is particularly evident. The existing talent pool cannot fully meet the market's demand for highly skilled professionals. According to feedback from industry companies, there is an urgent need for professionals with knowledge of IPC standards and practical skills in electronics. However, the reality is that most academic courses are disconnected from the actual needs of the industry, leading to disappointing results when companies recruit from universities and schools.
So, how can the talent development systems in universities and schools seamlessly align with enterprise needs to quickly unblock these bottlenecks?
In response to these needs, IPC Asia launched the IPC Asia Talent Development Program in 2020 with three core projects: the Internship Program, the Student Training Program, and the Academic Partner Program. This overall initiative has aimed to bridge the gap between education and industry by providing systematic training and practical opportunities that help students and young professionals master the core knowledge and skills of IPC standards. Through close collaboration with major enterprises and academic institutions, IPC Asia has successfully cultivated a number of highly skilled professionals who are meeting the industry's development needs and laying a solid and sustainable foundation.
Exploring Through Collaboration
The IPC Asia Talent Development Program has collaborated with more 20 educational institutions in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, with over 1,000 participants.
Student Training Program
The Student Training Program has attracted more than 400 students from nearly 20 universities. To ensure that the training content is both cutting-edge and practical, IPC Asia invited several university professors and industry experts to give lectures that present typical industry case studies. Through seminars and workshops, students engage deeply with these professors and experts to enhance their understanding of the industry.
Continue reading this article in the Winter 2025 issue of IPC Community.
Suggested Items
New IPC Standard Sets First Global Benchmark for E-Textile Wearable Reliability
04/29/2025 | IPCIPC announces the release of IPC-8981, Quality and Reliability of E-Textile Wearables. This first-of-its-kind standard sets baselines for testing and classifying e-textile wearables, addressing key challenges in product reliability, performance, and quality assurance.
Choosing the Right Strategic Path
04/29/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineTom Yang, CEO of CEE PCB, discusses the current economic challenges, noting reduced purchasing power post-pandemic. He highlights the growing demand for HDI in consumer electronics due to AI growth. Tom also expresses concerns about tariffs under the new U.S. administration, prompting CEE to diversify production locations, including new plants in Southeast Asia. He emphasizes the need for PCB manufacturers to adapt strategically amidst rising costs and fierce competition, particularly for mid-sized shops facing unique challenges in the industry.
Rising Star Award: Paavo Niskala, TactoTek
04/28/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Paavo Niskala joined the IPC community in 2022 as part of the inaugural steering group for in-mold electronics. He led the development of standard IPC-8401, Guidelines for In-Mold Electronics, chairing the project from its inception to its publication in 2024. Currently, Paavo serves as vice chair of the D-84A Plastronics Accelerated Reliability Testing Task Group, contributing his expertise to advancing reliability standards in the field.
IPC Strengthens Global Leadership Team with Addition of Joe Schneider as Vice President of U.S/Canada
04/25/2025 | IPCIPC, the global electronics association, announces the strategic appointment of Joe Schneider as vice president of U.S./Canada. This newly created executive position underscores the association’s commitment to championing the electronics industry's critical contributions to this region’s innovation and economic growth.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Empowering IPC North Asia—Leadership and Future Goals
04/24/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPONolan Johnson catches up with Sydney Xiao, the IPC North Asia President, who leads a team covering China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. IPC's North Asia regions 800 members are focusing on standards, training, and advocacy to enhance quality and profitability. The adoption of IPC standards by Toyota in 2021 highlights this increased regional engagement. IPC prioritizes workforce development, with over 7,000 professionals in certification programs and school partnerships.