Date: Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Where: Virtual Meeting at your computer via Zoom (while you eat your lunch)

Topic #1: It's a Brave New World: Mentoring the Next Generation of Great Designers

Speaker: John Watson, CID, Customer Success Manager at Altium

Synopsis:

In the past couple of years, we all have experienced issues with component shortages. But even more critical has been the shortage of promising PCB talent and great designers to fill the various job openings. In 2005, PCD&F warned that printed circuit board designers were retiring from the industry in droves. Unfortunately, the massive sucking sound we now hear is just that. With advancements in our industry at ludicrous speed, we all are experiencing a lack of available talent to meet our company's needs. Also, as PCB designs are more complex, it is vital to bridge the gap for new designers and what they will need to know.

How do we turn things around?

How do we develop a passion and hunger for PCB design?

What will it take to mentor the next generation?

How do you tap into resources of Palomar College and the PCEA to improve your team's skills?

Instructing and mentoring the next generation of designers will be crucial to our industry's success. Facing this problem head-on is a partnership between Palomar College and PCEA with a program that reaches out to brand new designers to introduce them to the career of PCB Design. That includes a unique program for high schools uniting with the school's STEM or Robotic curricula. Furthermore, they are working with PCEA to continue their education. Then come in partnership with companies that need the talent to allow these individuals to get their foot in the door. By investing in the new designers, with instruction and mentoring, the sky is the limit.

Topic #2: The Next Step in Designer Education for Becoming a Great Designer

Exploring the most comprehensive educational course for professional development

Speaker: Mike Creeden, CID+, Technical Director - Design Education at Insulectro

Synopsis:

The Printed Circuit Engineering Professional curriculum teaches a knowledge base and develops a competency for the profession of printed circuit engineering layout, based on current technology trends. The course references general CAD tool practices, however, it is vendor-agnostic. It also provides ongoing reference material for continued development in the profession.

The 40-hour course was developed by leading experts in printed circuit design with a combined 250 years of industry experience and covers approximately 67 major topics under the following headings: basics of the profession, materials, manufacturing methods and processes; circuit definition and capture; board layout data and placement; circuit routing and interconnection; signal-integrity and EMI applications; flex PCBs; documentation and manufacturing preparation; and advanced electronics (energy movement in circuits, transmission lines, etc.).

Class flow: Books sent to students prior to an instructor-led review. This is followed by an optional exam with a lifetime certification that is recognized by the PCEA trade association.

Click HERE to register and receive your login for this FREE educational webinar on Wednesday, April 20th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.  Hopefully this summer we’ll try to resume our normal in-person “Lunch ‘n Learn” meeting events.

Agenda:  

11:30 – 11:40: PCEA update and introductions

11:40 – 12:45: Technical presentations                     

12:45 – 12:55: Q & A discussion

12:55 – 1:00: Door prize raffle

If you have not already joined PCEA, we’d love to have you sign up to become a member by clicking here. Although it’s free to join, we encourage you to donate if you can.  As a non-profit organization, your donations make a difference in helping us create new chapters, acquire talented speakers, improve the website and provide better educational content.

We look forward to having you attend this important educational webinar!