The Employment Training Panel voted Oct. 24 to approve a $295,372 contract with IPC International Inc., which does business as the Global Electronics Association, to provide industry training for electronics manufacturers across California.

Panel members pressed the association's representative on two topics: the proposed mix of online computer-based training (CBT) and the fact that IPC’s headquarters are located out of state. IPC's director for grants and funding, Victoria Hawkins, said the association's online model was developed at industry request to provide flexible, scalable training and that the courses use interactive, project-based lessons and ANSI-accredited elements.

"Each lesson requires engagement, participation, and mastery with immediate feedback when responses are incorrect," Hawkins said during the meeting, adding that IPC offers online instructor-led courses as well as CBT, and that many lessons include follow-up and mentoring by employer trainers.

Panel member Gretchen Newsom raised concerns that computer-based content can be less effective than hands-on instruction for manufacturing roles. Hawkins countered that much of the association's work is delivered as hybrid training—part instructor-led online sessions and part applied work—and that California-based instructors and industry mentors support the employer application of the material.

Panel members also asked about local presence and certification pathways. Hawkins said IPC has an active California footprint—an industry-recognized PCB instructor is based in Northern California, the association runs an annual trade show in Southern California that draws thousands, and dozens of California employers are IPC members. She said many IPC courses lead to industry-recognized credentials; certification fees and pathways vary by credential and sometimes are handled in-house by employer trainers.

After discussion, the panel approved the contract. Staff noted IPC had already trained thousands of learners globally and several hundred in California during the prior year; the approved contract will support targeted employer cohorts in Orange, San Diego, Santa Clara, Placer and El Dorado counties.

Why it matters: Electronics manufacturing is a priority sector for ETP; accessible, up-to-date training and recognized industry credentials are central to employer hiring and retention strategies. The panel instructed staff to track certificate completion and the share of trainees who receive employer-paid certification so outcomes can be reported in future meetings.

Provenance: IPC's presentation begins with Victoria Hawkins at 93:40 (transcript block s=9340.36) and continued through the vote at 102:92–102:97 (roll call).