How Can an IPC Training Center Boost Your Electronics Career?

Level up your career and boost your employability in the electronics manufacturing industry by training with a fully accredited IPC training center and obtaining valuable certifications that represent your skills and knowledge of industry-recognized standards. Whether you’re an assembly line worker, an operator, or a project manager, getting the IPC certifications is an important step to ensuring you’ll meet at least the minimum expectations of what is considered industry standards in terms of designing, fabricating, and quality testing electronic products and components.

Learn from an IPC-Licensed Institution

When searching for IPC training near me, it’s best to opt for the institution with the proper IPC accreditations and qualifications to conduct the training. In this way, you can be sure you’ll be getting quality instructions from active Certified IPC Trainers (CITs) or Master IPC Trainer (MITs). You can also make sure the training you receive is up to date, and meet existing and/or modified industry standards.

A well-established, licensed IPC training center also provides a complete range of IPC courses, and thus, serves as your one-stop portal for obtaining valuable knowledge on electronics manufacturing standards.

IPC Standards Endorsements

As you can see, there are several IPC standards that you can get certification for depending on the specific sector in which you want to build your career. Each one requires undergoing lecture training with an accredited learning center and passing the qualifying examinations with at least a score of 80% in general.

The various IPC standards endorsements you can consider are the following:

• The J-STD-001 endorsement covers the standards for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies including lead-free and leaded interconnections;
• The IPC-A-600 endorsement covers the standards for the fabrication and assembly of bare printed circuit boards (PCBs);
• The IPC-A-610 endorsement provides detailed criteria for PCB assemblies;
• The IPC/WHMA-A-620 endorsement serves as the foundation for ensuring quality cable and wire harness assemblies;
• The IPC-7711 & IPC-7721 endorsement details the industry-recognized techniques for the rework, repair, and modification of electronic assemblies and PCBs; and
• The IPC-6012 endorsement establishes the standards for the fabrication of unpopulated rigid PCBs.

IPC Certification Levels

The IPC certifications come in various levels, allowing you to plan ahead and map out your career path in the electronics manufacturing industry. In general, each of the IPC standards endorsements has specific courses for each certification level. For example, a center offering IPC training near me may have IPC-A-610 CIS, IPC-A-610 CIT, and IPC-A-610 CSE courses.

• Certified IPC Specialist (CIS)

Line operators, engineers, supervisors, and other Individuals who must adhere to strict workmanship standards in the electronics industry are advised to take CIS training and certification to ensure their skills, knowledge, and competence are at par with what’s expected of them by the industry. The CIS training is a modular program with mandatory and optional modules.

• Certified Standards Expert (CSE) 

CSEs are highly knowledgeable about the IPC standard or group of standards that they’re trained and certified for.  They are considered subject matter experts, and thus, can work in an organization as a consultant to ensure that the facility’s procedures and products comply with industry standards.

• Certified IPC Trainer (CIT)

CITs are qualified to provide training and administer qualifying examinations for CIS aspirants. They can either work in a company as an in-house trainer for employees or serve as an independent consultant serving several organizations in need of training. They can also serve as faculty members in training and/or educational institutions including technical schools and community colleges.

• Master IPC Trainer (MIT)

CITs can upgrade their career with the optional MIT training and certification. This is not an independent certification though, as the MIT status is only provided to CITs who are actively contracted to or employed by a licensed IPC training institution.

Certification Addendums and Recertification

When there’s a revision or modification on the specific IPC standard you’re currently certified with, you’ll generally have to undergo training and a qualifying examination for the addendum. For example, the IPC/WHMA-A-620 Space Addendum covers the standards of cable and wire harness assemblies (i.e. the A-620 standard) but with a focus on ensuring reliable and high-quality electronic components and assemblies used in space and similar environments.

Your IPC certification is valid for two years. Prior to its expiration, you must also undergo recertification training and examination to ensure your certification remains active and valid.

A licensed IPC training institution can provide a comprehensive range of IPC courses including addendums and recertification.

Upgrade your Career Today!

BlackFox is your premier training and certification institution offering a comprehensive range of IPC courses for all certification levels. We also provide a variety of courses and services that will benefit organizations and companies in the electronics manufacturing industry.

Get in touch with us today!