Connect the Dots: Designing for Reality—Routing, Final Fab, and QC
Target Condition: ‘Boomer to Zoomer: Do You Copy?’
Elementary, Mr. Watson From Classroom to Career—Bridging the Gap in PCB Design Talent
One Designer’s Journey With IPC Apprenticeships
March 3, 2025 | Cory Blaylock, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
At Re:Build Manufacturing, the commitment to workforce development is evident in its adoption of apprenticeships. The company has 26 registered apprentices across seven occupations. One of its business units, AppliedLogix, showcases that innovation isn’t just about creating cutting-edge electronics—it’s also about investing in people. The team has embraced the IPC PCB Design Engineer Apprenticeship program, a unique pathway that combines hands-on training with IPC’s world-class curriculum.
The result is a growing pipeline of talented professionals ready to tackle the challenges of PCB design. Let’s take a closer look at the program in action through the story of an apprentice who’s making waves in his new career.
Meet Steve Chirpich: Following a Passion for PCB Design
If you’d told Steve Chirpich a year ago that he would be designing printed circuit boards, he might have been surprised. After deciding to make a career change to follow his passion for technology and PCB layout design, Steve took a leap into the high-tech world of electronics manufacturing.
Now, Steve is thriving as a PCB design engineer apprentice at Re:Build AppliedLogix. His journey into this new field has been nothing short of transformative.
"This program has been a game-changer," Steve says. "The hands-on training and mentorship I’ve received have given me a solid foundation in PCB design. I’m not just learning skills; I’m building the confidence to contribute to real projects. I’m excited to keep growing and refining my expertise."
And grow he has. Steve is already making an impact on critical projects, proving that the apprenticeship model works—not just for apprentices, but for employers too.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the February 2025 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Transition Automation to Showcase Expanding Line of Permalex Squeegee Products at IPC APEX EXPO
03/07/2025 | Transition AutomationTransition Automation, Inc. (TA) is exhibiting a full product range of Permalex Edge Metal Squeegees and Holder systems at this year’s IPC APEX EXPO
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
03/07/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007It’s been a busy week. My must-reads include articles and news items on global trends and challenges, groundbreaking technology, the hunt for the elusive young PCB designers, and some personnel changes. We also have a great column on the value of following up and keeping promises. We’re all guilty of “dropping the ball” from time to time, aren’t we?
Chris Mundy Joins Ventec as Commercial Director for EMEA & Americas
03/07/2025 | VentecVentec International Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Mundy as Commercial Director for EMEA & Americas.
Summit Interconnect Announces Key Executive Appointments: Sean Patterson Named CTO, Michael Norman Joins as President and COO
03/06/2025 | Summit Interconnect, Inc.Summit Interconnect, a leading provider of advanced PCB manufacturing solutions, is pleased to announce two key leadership updates to its executive team.
Recruiting the Next Generation of PCB Designers at Garmin
03/06/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007Laura Beth (LB) Yates, PCB design engineering manager at Garmin, discusses the company's innovative approach to recruiting the next generation of PCB designers. As she points out, the best part of her job is “going to work every day with my friends and making cool stuff.”