 Dear IPC Members:
Here’s your weekly summary of what the IPC Government Relations team has on its radar.
This week, we enjoyed an audio interview published by PCB007 Magazine with IPC’s Dr. John W. Mitchell on IPC’s latest advocacy efforts in Washington, including his recent discussion about industry workforce challenges with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
PCB007 also published an interview with Cory Blaylock, IPC Director of Workforce Partnerships, who explained IPC’s expanding apprenticeships initiative. Cory noted the alignment with CHIPS Act workforce programs and IPC’s “plug-and-play” workforce training approach that can benefit both employers and employees alike.
As always, we invite you to reach out with any feedback or questions.
All the best, |
Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations
The Headlines at a Glance:
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
- On Setbacks for the U.S. Manufacturing Workforce, and Progress Toward Solving the Challenges
DEFENSE & SECURITY
- U.S. Defense Official Says Industrial Strategy Key to National Security
ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
- European Union Reaches Provisional Agreement on Net Zero Act
TECHNOLOGY
- IPC Invited to White House Event on CHIPS and Related Programs
TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN
- IPC and PCBAA Urge Congress to Fully Fund Defense Purchases of PCBs
- European Commission Spotlights EU Competitiveness in New Report
UPCOMING EVENTS
- North American Executive Forum (Webinar), Feb. 28
- IPC APEX EXPO 2024, April 6-11
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
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“For the past 20 years, the U.S. has fallen far behind in offering manufacturing jobs as a career, and now we’re dealing with the setbacks.”
– Cory Blaylock, IPC Director of Workforce Partnerships, on the progress being made toward solving U.S. workforce challenges. Read more in PCB007 Magazine and learn more about IPC’s apprenticeship programs. |
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
U.S. Defense Official Says Industrial Strategy Is Key to National Security: In an article in Defense One, Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, underscores the critical importance of a robust defense industrial ecosystem in deterring potential adversaries. In her analysis, she highlights how the United States' industrial might not only safeguards national security but also ensures victory in conflict. The recently published National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS) is aimed at fortifying the nation's defense manufacturing and technology supply chains to match evolving threats. Her comments underscore IPC’s efforts to help fortify supply chains and foster innovation in electronics manufacturing. Read the article in Defense One. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.
ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
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European Union Reaches Provisional Agreement on Net Zero Act: The European Council and European Parliament recently reached a provisional agreement on the draft Net Zero Act. This is the EU’s response in part to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at boosting regional manufacturing of green technologies including solar modules, electricity grids, and wind turbines. The Act sets a goal for the EU to supply 40% of its own demand for clean tech by 2030, including by accelerating permitting procedures. It also provides for sustainability and resilience criteria in Member State procurement programs. The draft Net Zero Act is part of the EU’s evolving approach to industrial strategy as the EU continues to tread a fine line between bolstering key industries while remaining open. 2024 is a critical year as the EU sets its priorities for the next term amidst a growing focus on economic security. IPC continues to highlight the need for a “silicon-to-systems" approach to bolstering Europe’s electronics manufacturers in this context.IPC Contact: Alison James.
TECHNOLOGY
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IPC Invited to White House Event on CHIPS and Related Programs: Representing electronics manufacturers, IPC was in the room recently as the White House and U.S. Department of Commerce formally launched the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) Consortium and hosted a roundtable discussion about the CHIPS for America program. Recent announcements from the Biden administration have included hundreds of millions of dollars of planned investments in the electronics workforce, along with funding for projects in advanced packaging, metrology, and R&D. Echoing IPC’s main message on this issue, Laurie Locascio, director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), “We have to ensure that these investments build upon each other toward a strengthened ecosystem, which is what we’re trying to achieve in the United States.” IPC President and CEO Dr. John W. Mitchell told the gathered government officials and stakeholders, “We can’t solve the workforce problem for slices of the industry. Building a ‘semiconductor’ workforce is an inherently flawed notion. We need a robust workforce ‘from silicon to systems.’ “For the CHIPS for America program to succeed, America will need hundreds of thousands more skilled workers in this decade, not just in chips but in related sectors as well.” Read more on the IPC blog. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.
TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN
European Commission Spotlights EU Competitiveness in New Report: Last week, the European Commission unveiled its highly anticipated Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report, offering a comprehensive overview of the vitality and challenges within the Single Market. IPC has expressed support for the report's in-depth exploration of the current state of Europe's industrial ecosystems. This marks the first instance when the electronics sector has been recognized for its critical role and longstanding dependencies within these ecosystems. IPC is actively engaging with the European Union to emphasize the significant scope and scale of these dependencies, particularly in areas such as PCBs, EMS capacities, and IC substrates. These dependencies play a pivotal role in shaping the region's industrial competitiveness and resilience. Furthermore, IPC advocates for the development of a comprehensive “silicon to systems” industrial strategy to address these challenges head-on, underscoring the need for a holistic approach. IPC Contact: Alison James.
IPC and PCBAA Urge Congress to Fully Fund Defense Purchases of Trusted PCBs: IPC and the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA) recently delivered a letter to Congress urging that it fully fund the Defense Production Act Purchases Account with $618 million and provide $1.08 billion to the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program. This action would support the Presidential Determination that PCBs are essential to the defense industrial base. With a deadline for full-year funding decisions coming on March 8, IPC and PCBAA emphasize that achieving full funding for trusted technologies is vital for continuing investment in the PCB industry, aligning with the objectives of the CHIPS and Science Act, and enhancing the U.S.'s global competitiveness. Meanwhile, the U.S. government's inability to pass a full-year budget for Fiscal Year 2024 is already putting critical defense electronics initiatives on hold, as explained in this IPC Blog. For more on this advocacy effort and its implications for the PCB industry, read the IPC blog post or press release. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Anaheim, Calif., April 6-11. The largest electronics manufacturing event in North America, IPC APEX EXPO features the newest innovations and the best minds in the industry. IPC APEX EXPO 2024 will also host the Electronic Circuits World Convention 16, an international PCB symposium held every three years, featuring the latest information on global PCB demand, PCB manufacturing processes, and promoting the domestic PCB industry in every country and every region. Register by March 1 for a 20% discount!
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“We can’t solve workforce problems for just part of the industry.” John W Mitchell, IPC president and CEO, spoke to I-Connect007 about his recent visit to the White House and his participation in a session on workforce issues in manufacturing. Discussing the work IPC is doing to create career pathways, encourage apprenticeships, and advocate for the industry, Mitchell stated, “It’s nice to know that governments are starting to recognize how critical electronics are to their fundamental economies.” |
“IPC’s National Program Standards of Apprenticeship aligns seamlessly with the Chips Act to bolster semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S.” Cory Blaylock, director of workforce partnerships at IPC, provides details about IPC’s apprenticeship program, how industry can work through IPC to secure funding for workforce development, and how a “plug and play” workforce training program can be beneficial to industry employers and employees. |
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US
Meet the IPC GR Team: Whether it is engaging with policymakers in the Americas, the European Union, or Asia, the IPC Government Relations (GR) Team proactively seeks opportunities to educate, inform and influence policymakers on policies that spur innovation, growth and competition, while protecting human health and the environment. But our success depends on your support and engagement. Learn more and get involved in IPC advocacy today! IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
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