Global Electronics Association Expands Free Member Training Library with New Safety and Ergonomics Courses

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The Global Electronics Association today announced three new complimentary courses in safety and ergonomics, expanding its member training library to help manufacturers onboard workers faster and improve production performance.

The new courses, Introduction to Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Chemical Safety in Electronics Assembly, and Ergonomics for Electronics Manufacturing, are designed to strengthen workplace safety, improve operational consistency, and accelerate workforce onboarding and upskilling. The courses are available now as part of the Association’s expanding training library, which is valued at $400 per employee.

The Association’s workforce and training ecosystem reaches more than 3,000 member companies and issues more than 140,000 credentials annually, supporting an industry representing more than $6 trillion in global output. Structured technical training has been associated with a 20-40% reduction in onboarding time and a 10-30% improvement in first-pass manufacturing yield.

“As manufacturing evolves, companies are looking for more than standards awareness; they need training that helps people do the job in real-world environments,” said David Hernandez, vice president of education, Global Electronics Association. “These courses are part of a broader effort to close the gap between certification and application, and to support workforce readiness at scale.”

In addition to the new courses, the Association continues to expand its broader learning ecosystem, which includes foundational training in component identification, electrostatic discharge (ESD), foreign object debris (FOD), and safety in electronics manufacturing. Existing courses in ESD, FOD, and safety are already available in multiple languages, while the newly introduced courses and component identification training are currently offered in English, with Spanish, French, German, and Chinese translations planned for upcoming releases.

Building a Comprehensive Workforce Development Pipeline

The expanded library is part of the Association’s broader workforce development strategy, connecting applied training with certification to improve productivity, quality, and competitiveness. This approach is designed to serve both employers and individuals by delivering measurable operational outcomes, including faster onboarding, reduced rework and scrap, improved productivity, and lower training costs.

Additional curriculum development is underway, including a structured series of courses focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, inspection, and visualization in manufacturing environments. These future courses will build on the existing library to create defined learning pathways for operators, technicians, and engineers, supporting workforce progression from entry-level roles through advanced technical specialization.

In addition to training expansion, members continue to benefit from access to the Association’s Knowledge Hub, which provides technical resources including conference papers, webinars, and industry guidance. A newly released guidance document on Scope 3 Category 1 emissions accounting is also now available to support improved data accuracy and supplier engagement across the electronics value chain.

The Association’s workforce development programs support employers and workers through:

• Role-based training programs that build the skills required to perform critical industry job functions 
• Certification training programs that prepare participants for industry-recognized certification exams 
• IPC standards certifications that validate expertise and set the global benchmark for quality and consistency 
• Registered apprenticeships that create structured pathways into electronics manufacturing careers 
• Third-party software certifications, including with Altium Designer®, that validate proficiency with widely used design tools

The Association also provides members with direct access to dedicated training specialists at no additional cost. These experts work alongside companies to strengthen workforce strategies, close gaps between training and on-the-job performance, and align learning programs with measurable operational outcomes. By serving as a strategic extension of member teams, the Association helps organizations build more effective, performance-driven workforces.

For more information on educational programs offered by the Global Electronics Association, visit www.electronics.org.