Introduction to PCB Design I and II are two online IPC courses dedicated to PCB design, scheduled for the next few months. The courses are held by Pietro Vergine, co-president of Leading Edge and IPC instructor.

IPC announces a pivotal opportunity for California employers under the Employment Training Panel (ETP) program. This initiative provides significant financial support for customized job skills training, reducing costs and enhancing the competencies of the workforce in today's challenging market.

IPC announces a transformative partnership with Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU)'s engineering department, the IPC Education Foundation and the Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation (CARRI). This collaboration is set to revolutionize workforce development and education in electronics manufacturing, aligning academic programs with industry needs.

Ball Grid Array (BGA) defects pose significant challenges in circuit board assembly. The IPC guidelines provide a foundational framework for inspection, yet they may not encompass all scenarios effectively. Leveraging the latest advancements in 3D Computed Tomography (CT) technology allows for a detailed examination of each solder ball, facilitating a precise identification of common defects such as voiding, non-wetting, and head-in-pillow phenomena. Through this approach, engineers can conduct a thorough root cause analysis, enhancing the reliability of electronic assemblies.

The IPC Education Foundation (IPCEF) promotes opportunities for students to access information and financial assistance for careers in the electronics manufacturing industry.  In addition to the existing IPC Scholarship and Award program, which has awarded more than $200,000 since 2019, the IPCEF was selected as one of the Opportunity Next Colorado Scholarship Program recipients.

Join us for an inspiring webinar, “A View from the Top: Succeeding as Women Engineers in Microelectronics,” where we celebrate the achievements of two remarkable women in the electronics industry, Cheah Soo Lan, Master IPC Trainer for CID/CID+ and Despina Davis, Ph.D. This event features insightful interviews with trailblazing professionals who have excelled beyond engineering roles. Additionally, our speakers will introduce new IPC online instructor-led courses, including A Technical Overview of the Semiconductor Chip Industry—perfect for those new to semiconductor topics, offering a gateway to new career opportunities and enhanced expertise. Also, discover the intricacies of Microvia Electroplating, where you’ll learn essential techniques and best practices for reliable microvia fabrication in high-density interconnects. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and advance your career!

IPC achieved a landmark in 2023 by creating an apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. With such a registered framework in place, industry can work through IPC to secure local, state, and federal dollars for workforce development in a way they’ve never been able to do before.

IPC announces that it has received funding from Jobs for the Future (JFF) to support registration for its esteemed national apprenticeship program.

Join Anthony J. Bryant as he previews his August IPC Counterfeit Electronic Parts Mitigation course. The webinar reviews the key aspects of counterfeit documentation challenges focusing on the recent issues with aircraft engines and the broader High-Reliability supply chain concerns. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the problem, as well as practical strategies and best practices for mitigating the risks. In this webinar, we’ll cover:

- Understand the scope and impact of counterfeit documentation in the aerospace industry
- Identify common tactics used by counterfeiters to create fake documentation
- Learn strategies and best practices for mitigating the risk of counterfeit documentation
- Discuss industry-wide initiatives and regulations aimed at addressing this challenge

The upheaval of recent years reminds us that change is inevitable. Growth, on the other hand, is merely possible. Across the globe, growth in the electronics manufacturing sector is constrained by workforce shortages and a persistent skills gap. Demand for manufacturing output continues to rise just as access to qualified workers diminishes. Baby Boomers are aging out of the workforce, the expectations of workers are evolving, and there is a prevalent mismatch between the skills employees require and the skills available workers possess. This dogged state of affairs limits the industry’s growth and leads to increased production costs in an already thin-margin sector.