Responses requested by September 20

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, Sep 5, 2014 — The apparent gap between the need for workers with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills and the available talent in North America is an issue that is especially pressing for electronics manufacturers who also seek workers with a manufacturing background. In response to the industry’s need for information and answers, IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries® has begun work on an in-depth study of the region’s labor pool.

IPC has launched a survey about the hiring needs of U.S. and Canadian electronics manufacturers and their experiences in recruiting qualified production workers and engineers. The survey is designed to assess how well the current labor pool meets the needs of electronics manufacturers, identify any gaps and discover how manufacturers are overcoming recruitment challenges.

The industry survey is just one of many sources being tapped. Information for the study is also being gathered from industry, education, government and other nonprofit organizations through interviews, surveys and research into published sources. The complete study report will be published by the end of this year, and will include a compendium of recruiting resources for manufacturers as well as recommendations for action to develop the labor pool.

Electronics manufacturers in the United States and Canada are urged to participate in the industry survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/IPCLaborPool. The survey will be open through September 20. Participants will receive a summary of the results of this survey before the full report is published.

About IPC 
IPC ( www.IPC.org) is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 3,500 member companies 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. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Washington, D.C.; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore and New Delhi, India; Bangkok, Thailand; and Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Suzhou and Beijing, China.

Contact: 
Anna Garrido
IPC
Director of Marketing and Communications 
+1 847-597-2804
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