Just Ask John Mitchell: Emerging Engineers and Managers

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First, we asked you to send in your questions for Happy Holden, Joe Fjelstad, and Eric Camden in our “Just Ask” series. Now, it’s IPC President and CEO John Mitchell’s turn! A regular PCB007 columnist, John focuses on many of the challenges affecting the global electronics industry supply chain. Over the years, he has served as an engineer, manager, and executive at a variety of companies and organizations. We hope you enjoy “Just Ask John.” 

Q: Does IPC have an interest in emerging managers, as well as emerging engineers?

A: In our highly competitive industry, the knowledge and skill sets of staff directly responsible for client services and program management can make or break a company’s bottom line. To help emerging managers, IPC offers a Certified Electronics Program Manager (CEPM) Training and Certification Course. Taught by an IPC-certified industry expert with 30 years of experience in the field, the six-week program utilizes interactive webinars, on-demand recorded training, job-specific exercises, and team projects to facilitate mastery of the key business and technical concepts required of program managers in the electronics industry.

We’re currently exploring an emerging manager mentor program in addition to the CEPM program. More details to come on this program by Q2 2021.

To submit your questions to John, click here.

04/16/2021 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007

I’m sure it’s just me being hyperaware, but I can’t shake it: Mars is where it’s at right now. Is it just me, or do you get the same feeling from the news? There are the Mars rovers—three generations of them still rolling, now—and a drone helicopter winding up for a maiden flight any day now. But that’s not all. There’s SpaceX’s StarShip, rapid-prototyping its way into a manned flight to Mars. And NASA’s whole “return to the Moon” project is simply a shakedown for the U.S. government contractors’ Mars flight hardware, too.

04/15/2021 | Chris Mitchell, IPC VP, Global Government Relations

IPC APEX EXPO 2021, which went all virtual this year, exemplified how the electronics industry has responded to the COVID-19 global pandemic: with resiliency, agility, and an unwavering commitment to build electronics better. APEX EXPO featured great content and robust discussions on topics of critical importance to the global electronics industry. From my vantage point leading IPC’s government relations programs, here are my top five takeaways from this year’s event.

04/01/2021 | Marc Carter, Aeromarc

With the wrap-up of IPC APEX EXPO 2021, it was extremely gratifying to note the emphasis placed on getting young people involved to combat the “graying out” knowledge losses facing our industry. A part of that emphasis was reflected in the award ceremony on Tuesday, March 9, which featured some people you may have seen mentioned in my “Better to Light a Candle” columns.