In the IPC JSTD training program, the certification program is multi-tiered, limited in time scope and is bound to the recipient of the certification. The highest level is the master instructor who is employed at the various credentialed training centers. These master instructors have both teaching and industry experience. They must also be able to pass the certified instructor course material and usually instruct “under” an already-certified instructor. These master instructors then teach and certify the certified instructors (called CITs).
IPC J-STD-001 Training – Why You Need for PCB Assembly
IPC J-STD-001 training program is the hands-on authority for solder and electronics assembly training for PCB manufacturing. This class, intended for operators who have at least one year experience in the electronics manufacturing area, describes the materials, methods and inspection criteria for producing and confirming quality solder interconnections. This standard, in addition to teaching you the “why for’s” will teach you the “how to’s” during its instruction. The IPC J-STD-001 training program emphasizes the standards for industry consensus while still emphasizing process control standards. This training and certification curriculum is based on the “IPC J-STD-001 Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies”.
This standard and the associated training program are intended for a variety of manufacturers within the electronics industry. The IPC J-STD-001 training program is popular and in usage with a variety of manufacturing and service companies. OEMs who are buying complete assemblies in many cases demand via their procurement document that the assemblers be certified to the IPC J-STD-001 in making their products. Sub-assembly vendors to the contract service providers or to the OEMs building assembly kits are also in many cases contractually obligated to invoke the IPC J-STD-001 as they assemble their product and that their assembly associates are trained and certified J-STD-001 CIS associates. Many contract manufacturers in the cable and wire harness, PCB or complete box build arenas are also in many cases contractually obligated to have IPC J-STD-001 trained personnel on staff making their products.
Like most of the IPC certification and training programs, the IPC J-STD-001 training program is constructed on a multi-tier train the trainer model. IPC, the electronics industry trade group, first facilitates the development and administration of the training program based on the IPC-J-STD-001 document. This specification is driven by user input. Once this set in stone the training program is developed by industry consultants and subject matter experts and goes through a set of alpha and sometimes beta test classes prior to being released to the industry. IPC licensed training center to employ master trainers with many years of solder training and PCB assembly experience. These master trainers then subsequently train either trainers or associates in the standard. Trainers need to know the entire standard and are then able to bring this IPC J-STD-001 training program into their respective company. Once inside the companies the various companies can customize the classes based on their specific needs. For example, the wire harness shop may only need or want to understand the wire portion of the J-STD-001 training program, whereas a contract manufacturer fabricating boards as well as box builds may desire to be certified in the entire standard.
The IPC J-STD-001 training program has several attributes of importance. The first is that each individual trained in this standard has a portable credential. This means that the person and not the paying customer (their employer) own the credential. A second point to understand about the IPC J-STD-001 certification program is that the credential maintains its validity for a period of two years. After the two year period, a re-certification is required. All of the testings are proctored and is online for the testing of the specification knowledge. All of the skills-based testing is done in a soldering lab for the J-STD-001 certification.
The IPC J-STD-001 training program can be taught in a variety of locations based on the end user’s needs. The training center can send their master trainer’s to the customer’s location. This means that either the training center brings all of the equipment and trains at the customer’s location or that the training area within the customer is used for this purpose. Another option available is that of a mobile training center option. In this option, the IPC J-STD-001 candidates are trained in an 18-wheeler outfitted with all of the soldering stations. Another option would be to teach students at the licensed training center about the J-STD-001 certification program. In all cases the needs of the company and students seeking accreditation need to be taken in to account.
