Apprenticeships Can Power the Electronics Industry. Here’s How IPC is Helping.

In a time that feels more politically divided than ever, there are still policies that Americans generally agree on —and expanding workplace apprenticeships is one of them. Last week’s commemoration of National Apprenticeship Week gave us the opportunity to take a deeper dive into why apprenticeships have such bipartisan appeal and the important role they can play in supporting the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry.

An October 2024 survey by national workforce nonprofit Jobs for the Future found that 84% of voters, including 88% of Democrats and 82% of Republicans, supported expanding registered apprenticeship programs. Additionally, 74% of voters said it will be important for a president to take action on this in the first 100 days.

The bipartisan appeal is understandable. It is a win-win for workers and employers:

• As American workers seek stable economic footing, apprenticeships offer a tighter connection to good jobs than many other education and training pathways. Apprentices join the workforce as employees, earning a paycheck while participating in structured training that combines hands-on experience with classroom instruction. Apprenticeships don’t require a financial investment from the worker making them accessible to a wider range of would-be employees and opening pathways into industries that might otherwise be out of reach for many. In addition to immediate employment, apprenticeships also offer a nearly guaranteed job that can turn into a long-term career: 93% of apprentices stay on with their employer after their apprenticeship ends.
• Employers are able to use apprenticeships to improve their own talent pathways and ensure that the programs teach the skills that are needed for success. Unlike other preparation programs, there is no gap between what is taught and what is needed in the workplace. Additionally, Federal and state grants, as well as tax incentives in some states, can help defray some of the costs.

The electronics industry, like so many other industries, struggles to hire and retain skilled workers. Facing a dual challenge of a growing sector and an aging talent pool– which in combination threaten to leave 2.1 million jobs unfilled by 2031 – apprenticeship offers an important on-ramp to our dynamic industry.

Onboarding and upskilling are two of the biggest hurdles electronics manufacturers encounter. Many rely on inefficient methods like shadowing or ad hoc internal training, which focus on immediate needs rather than building foundational skills. Apprenticeships address these gaps head-on. By offering a structured system, they provide workers with both foundational knowledge and advanced skills, equipping them to adapt to changing technologies. At the same time, they offer employers a reliable framework to develop talent and meet workforce demands.

That’s why IPC established the first registered apprenticeship programs for the U.S. electronics manufacturing sector, approved by the U.S. Department of Labor last fall. These programs target roles such as Electronics Assembly Operator and Printed Circuit Board Fabricator, combining industry-defined coursework with certification exams to ensure workers meet established proficiency standards. Beyond that, IPC is piloting pre-apprenticeship programs with high schools in Colorado, Texas, and Massachusetts to prepare students for entry into the workforce and strengthen the talent pipeline.

We recently shared that IPC is on track to reach 100 enrolled apprentices across nine companies and eight states within the first year of the programs being active. This is incredibly exciting but it is only the beginning for us. As we move into our second year, we continue to look at ways to grow apprenticeship opportunities across our industry.

Apprenticeships are one of the oldest forms of training, but they are underutilized in America — only 0.3% of the workforce has enrolled in an apprenticeship (compare this to 3.6% in Switzerland or 2.3% in Germany). With bipartisan support and an economic imperative, it’s time to change that. The electronics industry should lead the charge.