IPC Lauds Government Act to Advance Workforce Education
August 2, 2018 | IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries is applauding the U.S. Congress for sending legislation to President Trump that will strengthen workforce education and training efforts. The President signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (the Perkins CTE Act) on Tuesday.
The U.S. electronics industry faces a chronic shortage of skilled workers in the United States. According to an IPC member surveys, most companies say the skills gap is constraining their growth and, in some cases, their long-term viability.
IPC has been a staunch supporter of the Perkins CTE Act, having advocated for the measure over the past year. Most recently, IPC President and CEO John Mitchell sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in June, urging them to complete their work on the bill. During IPC’s “IMPACT Washington, D.C.” advocacy event in May, member company executives discussed the issue directly with leaders in Congress and the Administration.
“Having access to trained individuals continues to be a top priority for IPC’s 2,300 U.S. member company sites that employ more than 2 million people throughout the United States,” said John Mitchell. “As a training and certification leader, IPC has made significant investments to address the skills gap for the electronics industry. We commend the U.S. Congress for passing this vital legislation, and the President for signing it into law, to help address these workforce challenges.”
To address the workforce shortage, IPC is making unprecedented investments in its own education programs, including:
- IPC EDGE Online Platform – IPC is moving toward delivering more of its traditional training and certification programs online and in ways that are more likely to ensure long-term knowledge and skills acquisition.
- Jobs Task Analysis - IPC is undertaking an analysis of the critical job roles in the electronics industry to map the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform job functions. The outcome of this project will re-shape IPC’s future certification and education programs.
- Earn and Learn – IPC is partnering with academic institutions to develop apprenticeship, internship, and related opportunities that offer valuable skills in concert with academic programs.
- STEM Programming – IPC is working with schools and nonprofits on a variety of programs to get kids excited about STEM subjects and to give them a familiarity with the electronics industry.
- Veterans/Transitioning Military: IPC is supporting activities and programs that seek to recruit veterans into the electronics manufacturing industry.
About IPC
IPC is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 4,300-member company sites which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry. For more information, click here.
Suggested Items
Electronics Industry Sentiment Rose in April, Hitting New High
05/02/2024 | IPCApril 2024 marked the third consecutive month of sentiment growth among electronics manufacturers. When asked if they expected labor costs for hourly workers to rise over the next month, manufacturers in the United States, Mexico, and Europe predicted a five percent increase, while manufacturers in Asia predicted a slightly lower four percent increase.
iNEMI Names Grace O'Malley CTO
05/02/2024 | iNEMIThe Board of Directors of the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) has named Grace O'Malley Chief Technical Officer (CTO).
ZESTRON Academy Launches 2024 Advanced Packaging & Power Electronics Webinar Series
05/01/2024 | ZESTRONZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions in the electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries, proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated webinar series on Advanced Packaging & Power Electronics, a webinar series on the latest innovations, cleaning, and corrosion challenges.
NextFlex Convenes the Hybrid Electronics Community at Binghamton University
05/01/2024 | NextFlexBinghamton University hosted the NextFlex hybrid electronics community on April 18 for a day of expert presentations, breakout sessions on technology and manufacturing topics, and networking.
HQ NextPCB of HQ Electronics Debut on the International Stage for Electronics Manufacture at IPC APEX 2024
05/01/2024 | PRNewswireHQ NextPCB of HQ Electronics, a leading Chinese-based multilayer PCB manufacturer and assembly house showcased its industrial prowess on the international stage for the first time at the IPC APEX Expo 2024.