Training for the Electronics Production Industry
Because the right choice of training in the electronics production industry is a fairly complicated issue, we have compiled this page to help you get started.
This information is therefore intended for employees such as:
- A buyer or an HR member who is asked to set up IPC training, but is not familiar with terms like CIS, CSE, or CIT. Certify or recertify?
- A member of quality control staff experiencing quality issues that may be resolved through certain training. Which course would be the most suitable?
About PIEK
PIEK is an international training institute providing training to the electronics production industry since 1965. Our training courses cover all aspects of the industry, from circuit board design to end products. If you would like to know more about PIEK itself, visit: https://piektraining.com/en/about-us/.
About IPC
IPC is a global branch organization focused on standardization in the electronics production industry. IPC establishes standards for each step of the production process; from design, manufacture, and assembly to repairs. These standards are developed by various committees of industry professionals. Certain standards have associated training courses. For more information on IPC, visit www.ipc.org.
Available options
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| Summary | IPC certified | PIEK certified | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PB Design | How to transform an electrical schematic into a PB design that can be manufactured. | IPC CID (Certified Interconnect Designer-basic) | PIEK’s Interconnect Designer Certification
PIEK’s Advanced Interconnect Designer Certification |
| Bare circuit board | What quality requirements should a bare circuit board (pcb) meet to be allowed on to the next step in the production process. | IPC-A-600 Acceptability of Printed Boards | Certified PIEK Operator – Quality- and Acceptancecriteria for printed circuit boards |
| Bare board | What qualifications should a bare circuit board, materials, processes, and tests meet to be in compliance with the high standards demanded by the subsequent phases of the production process. | IPC-6012 Qualification and Performance Specification for Rigid Printed Boards | Certified PIEK Operator – Quality- and Acceptancecriteria for printed circuit boards |
| Assembled circuit board | What quality requirements should an assembled circuit board (pcba) meet to be acceptable to clients or in compliance with final assembly of the final housing. | IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies | Certified PIEK Operator – Quality- and Acceptance criteria for assemblies |
| Soldered electronic assemblies | The quality requirements for the assembly process, materials, environment, inspection, handling, etc. (including practical soldering). | IPC J-STD-001 Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies | Certified PIEK Operator – Quality criteria for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies |
| Space
Soldered electric and electronic units |
Because aviation and aerospace electronics very specifically deviate from electronics in standard usage, an addendum has been developed. | IPC J-STD-001 Space Applications Electronic hardware Addendum | Certified PIEK Operator – Quality criteria for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies |
| Modifying, rework, and repairing electronic equipment | How should the modification, rework, and repair of electronic connections be completed without compromising on applicable quality and reliability criteria. | IPC-7711/7721 Rework, Modification and Repair of Electronic Assemblies Training and Certification Program | Certified PIEK Operator – Quality criteria Rework, modification and repair of electronic assemblies |
| Cable | What requirements should a cable connection system or cable wire harness meet without compromising on quality requirements. | IPC/WHMA-A-620 Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies | Certified PIEK Operator – Quality- and Acceptance criteria for cable and harness assemblies |
| Soldering | The manual soldering training course addresses the theory and practice of handsoldering. | – | Solder Training Basic (Hand Soldering) |
| ESD | What is ESD? What happens in an electrostatic discharge? Creating ESD awareness of the dangers and consequences, and restricting or preventing them. | – | ESD Introduction (Electrostatic Discharge) |
| End product | Box building means the assembly of an end product. The various modules and components pre-assembled in electronics assembly are compiled into an end product. | – | IPC-A-630 Box Building Specialist |
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IPC or PIEK certified?
What should you keep in mind when making your decision?
For example; your client’s contract states that your employees must be IPC-7711/7721 certified. In this case, there is no alternative but to ensure IPC-7711/7721 certification. If your client were to demand compliance with IPC-7711/7721 standards, you have a choice between IPC training or PIEK training. IPC training uses fixed modules. Several are obligatory, and several are optional. PIEK offers detailed and custom training options. If you would like more information, for example about the extent to which a certain topic of interest to your business is covered, then please let us know.
Some courses, such as soldering, ESD Plant Auditor/Trainer and QRRE – Qualified Rework & Repair Engineer, are only available as PIEK training.
Not sure which training is right for you? Please contact us at support@piektraining.com or by phone at +31 (0) 45-5703333. We are happy to help.
For which standards are there IPC certifications?
IPC certifications exist for the following norms:
- IPC-2220 series
- IPC-A-600
- IPC-6012
- IPC-A-610
- IPC J-STD-001
- IPC-7711/7721
- IPC/WHMA-A-620
IPC certification variants:
- Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) is a certification for operators who will eventually be working with and according to the standard.
- Certified Standard Expert (CSE) is a certification for employees whose experience with a particular standard enables them to fulfil the role of expert in a company. They are often a point of contact due to their level of knowledge, and can answer many questions.
- Senior Certified Standard Expert (SCSE) is a certification for employees whose experience with multiple standards enables them to fulfil the role of expert in a company. They are often a point of contact due to their level of knowledge and years of experience, and can answer many questions.
- Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) is a certification for employees intended to take the role of trainer within their company, tasked with training other employees to become CIS in the relevant standard.
Certificate validity:
With the exception of CID and CID+, IPC certificates are valid for 2 years and can be extended through an exam within 6 months of expiry. If a certificate is no longer valid, the employee needs to complete a new certification.
PIEK certificates are valid for 2 years and can be extended within 90 days of expiry until 90 days after expiry.
Certify, recertify, challenge test?
There are 3 ways of obtaining a certificate:
- Certify is for employees who first have to be training in the relevant standard, or who are no longer equipped with a valid certificate.
- Recertify is for employees equipped with a valid certificate, but who still require training or a refresher course to properly prepare them for the exam.
- Challenge Test is for employees capable enough to complete the exam in the relevant standard without requiring training or a refresher course.
Face-to-face in-company, Face-to-face regional, or Online?
Face-to-face in-company:
If you have multiple employees you want to sign up for training, then you can choose to have PIEK come to your location. This is possible for all variants, certification types, and custom programs. Your company is the host, and PIEK provides a trainer and materials per agreement.
Face-to-face regional:
If you have only 1 or several employees you want to sign up for training, your employee or employees attend the course at a PIEK training facility. This option is available for all variants and certification types available on our training calendar. PIEK is the host, and schedules various training sessions at various locations over the year. PIEK provides a trainer, materials, training location, and lunch. Any overnight stays for your employee(s) should be handled by your company.
Online:
A number of courses is also available online. Training courses with a practical component are not available online. The online option is available in two formats: for groups of multiple employees, we can schedule a targeted and exclusive training; smaller numbers of employees can join a scheduled online training. For more information, please refer to our online training page.
