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Siemens, in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) has announced a new online microcredential program in printed circuit board (PCB) design - ‘PCB Design Fundamentals: From Discovery to Production’ - offering learners a direct path to an in-demand skillset in the electronics industry.
The electronics industry is scaling rapidly - driven by growth in AI infrastructure, electric vehicles and medical devices - yet the pipeline of qualified PCB designers has not kept pace: employers are searching for talent fluent in modern Electronic Design Automation (EDA) workflows. Learners have traditionally had limited opportunities to develop the applied skills required to move a board design from schematic to production-ready handoff. This program was built specifically to close that workforce readiness gap.
"PCB design is an applied skillset that sits at the intersection of engineering knowledge and real production workflows," says Dora Smith, Senior Director, Future Workforce Strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software. "This program gives learners the hands-on experience they need to contribute to real projects —and gives employers confidence that the candidates with a Siemens microcredential are ready to do the work."
“At ASU, we're focused on creating learning experiences that connect engineering fundamentals with the skills employers need today,” says Kyle Squires, senior vice provost of engineering, computing and technology and dean of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. “By combining the expertise of our faculty with Siemens’ technology and industry insights, this program helps learners develop the practical knowledge needed to contribute to electronics design projects and advance into high-impact engineering roles.”
Delivered entirely online and self-paced for maximum flexibility, ‘PCB Design Fundamentals: From Discovery to Production’ is a 40-hour program comprised of four courses that cover PCB design fundamentals and best practices, schematic design and component selection, multi-layer layout and advanced routing, design for manufacturability (DFM) and production handoff. Learners work with Siemens’ Xpedition™ software for PCB design, an industry-standard software used across aerospace, automotive and medical device sectors.
With no prerequisites required, the program is accessible to undergraduate engineering students, technicians, career changers and engineers from adjacent disciplines seeking to add hardware design capability to their skillset.
"The electronics industry is facing a real and growing shortage of engineers who can move a board design through every stage, from concept to a manufacturable product," said AJ Incorvaia, senior vice president of Electronic Board Systems, Siemens Digital Industries Software. "The effects of this situation are already impacting engineering teams, who are facing greater pressure and tighter timelines with fewer people with the hands-on experience to close the gap. This program addresses that directly, giving learners the applied skills they need."
Upon completing the program, learners earn a microcredential from Siemens and a professional certificate from ASU. The microcredential badge can be displayed on LinkedIn and other professional platforms, making the achievement of applied knowledge and skills visible to recruiters and hiring managers. Learners who complete the microcredential are also invited to join the Siemens Talent Directory, which Siemens and its commercial customers can use to identify candidates with specific skillsets.
