Electronics training courses are plentiful, as many of today's colleges and universities offer some sort of electronics engineering program. But it can be difficult to know what schools offer the best training with the most up-to-date information.

It's best to use several resources when looking for electronics training courses. Don't be afraid to ask around or contact industry leaders to see what programs they recommend and to keep up with any changes. Consider the following when investigating electronics and semiconductors education and training news and trends:

1. Attend semiconductor education classes to learn about industry changes.

2. Search through periodicals that feature articles on electrical safety training.

3. Visit seminars to learn about updates to semiconductor training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out electrical engineering training schools for updated information

Schools are an ideal place to look for updates to the industry, and it's best to start your search directly from the school's website. Check out several schools before making your final decision. Many times schools adjust their programs keeping industry changes in mind. Look to electronics training courses as well to teach you about industry trends.

I recommend: Iowa State University offers an electrical engineering degree that is ranked in the top 16 percent by the Gourman Report. Another Midwestern school, Purdue University, also features an electrical and computer engineering program. You can check out the link to upcoming events to learn more about what the school can offer.

Subscribe to periodicals that contain information about semiconductor training

Electronics publications can offer a quick link to updates about the industry. Schools that focus on electronics and semiconductors might advertise about upcoming courses in these magazines or journals. You can also learn about new training that's available. Pay attention to the trends in the industry by subscribing to these periodicals; some of the magazines might even offer e-mail newsletters sent directly to your inbox.

I recommend: The EE Times, from United Business Media, is a publication for those engineers and technical managers who want to get ahead of the competition. You can sign up for digital or print versions of the magazine to read at your leisure. EDN, from Reed Business Information, is a publication for electronic design engineers. Search through the news section to find information about electronics education courses and any changes in the industry of which you should be aware.

Attend seminars where speakers might discuss electronics training courses

Conferences hosted by well-known electric engineering associations are ideal events to attend. While there, you can network with others in the industry. Others who attend might know where to find the best schools, as well as where to find the newest training.

I recommend: The IEEE is an electronic-based organization that was originally called the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Check out the conferences and meetings it has scheduled all across the country. The American Society for Engineering Education is a great place to find information about electronics training. Look through its list of upcoming conferences to find one to attend.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have already attended college and received a degree involving training in electronics, you can ask fellow alumni about any industry news they know. Consider attending alumni events to better network with your fellow classmates.

Use electronics and semiconductors education and training to help increase the safety and productivity of your employees. You can take the classes yourself, you can offer them for the betterment of your staff or you can use them as a prerequisite for the job.

However you apply your electronics and semiconductors education, obtaining the necessary knowledge to become a professional is mandatory in the field. You can take your electronics training online. You can go to a technical school. There are many options to obtaining your electronics and semiconductors education.

To decide how best to pursue your semiconductor training or your electronics education:

1. Decide on your budget. How much can you spend towards electronics and semiconductor training classes.

2. Determine how much time you have to devote to your education. If it is something that you plan to pursue professionally, you should strongly consider bumping your electrical engineering training to the top of your priority list.

3. Figure out if you want to pursue your training or classes online or in person. If you are a hands on person, in the classroom will probably be your best route to go.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go after your electronics training

Obtain your electronics training from accredited teaching institutions such as colleges or tradeschools. You can study and enjoy classes towards your electronics training and electronics education. You can take them to simply increase your knowledge, or you can work towards an actual degree or certification.

I recommend: Take a look at the Electronics School at Lincoln College of Technology. Take the Electronics Technician training courses from Penn Foster Career School. Take the self-paced, interactive Electronics Technician Certificate training program George Brown College. Request a brochure from the ITT School of Electronics Technology.

Seek out semiconductor training

Semiconductor training falls hand in hand with your electrical engineering training. Pursue classes in semiconductor education if you choose this as your chosen route.

I recommend: Find Fundamental and Advanced Courses for your semiconductor education from PTI Seminars, Inc. Find semiconductor training courses, books and films from Semiconductor Training.com. Look at the information about semiconductor training offered from Threshold Systems. Applied Materials Applied Global Services Training Services also offers semiconductor training.

Find free electronics education information

Gain amateur electronics training knowledge on your own through free tutorials.

I recommend: Check out the Free-Ed.Net tutorial online electronics training pages that explain and demonstrate electronics education skills. Find out even more free tutorial training from the ELECTRONICS HOBBYIST page. Find free online tutorials from ApogeeKits Electronic Kits and Tools. Find even more electronic tutorial links from 101 Electronics Links.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Start at a hobby level and work your way up to a formal electronics education. If you enjoy it at the beginner level, chances are that you can turn it into a career if you continue to pursue your training in electronics.

Whether you sell, manufacture or distribute electronics and semiconductors, you'll need sound training and education to stay ahead of your competition. The knowledge and skills derived from training and education will help you develop confidence in your abilities, earn credibility with your clients and audience and improve your ability to work more efficiently and effectively. When taken together, the benefits from education and training will help you and your employees to generate more business and ultimately increase profits.

While there are plenty of opportunities for semiconductor training and education and general electronics training and education, it helps when you can narrow the possibilities by using ratings and advice regarding existing programs and schools. To obtain information about electronics training you might want to consider the following things:

1. Compare educational institutions offering semiconductor training by analyzing their ratings.

2. Sort through advice and ratings on electronics and semiconductors education and training found on web blogs.

3. Ask your own questions and get expert advice on semiconductor education from those already in the field by joining a forum.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at school ratings and reviews to select one that offers the optimal electronics education

While many colleges and universities offer semiconductor and electronics training, some rise above the rest in terms of educational quality for training in electronics. Check sites that compare the educational institutions before determining which works best for your individual needs.

I recommend: Learn more about the online schools and degrees you'd like to pursue from GetEducated.com. As a consumer watchdog and advocacy group, it ranks and rates schools, and it also verifies the schools' costs, quality and credibility. Education Portal offers a brief article highlighting areas a student should analyze when pursing an engineering degree. It recommends top schools in this field according to "U.S. News" ratings.

Obtain advice and ratings on electronics and semiconductors education and training from blogs

Learn the ins and outs of semiconductor education by reading what experts in the field comment on in web logs, more commonly called blogs. Find out changes in curriculum offerings and get information on the top schools for semiconductor training and education with online electronics training.

I recommend: Electronic Technology Education advocates curriculum reform to make education more relevant to true industry requirements. It hopes to raise educational standards and create more interest in electronic education. Reed Business Information blogs about news articles pertaining to electronics and semiconductor education and training. It links to the sites highlighted for further details.

Get the inside scoop on ways to obtain semiconductor education by searching forums

Sift through forums to get advice on the best ways for you to get or enhance your semiconductor training. Ask direct questions, if necessary, to find out about the best electronics training course, conferences or even degrees that best suit your professional needs.

I recommend: SemiNeedle offers a forum for those in the semiconductor field. It not only discusses news, but also highlights conferences and recommends other training opportunities. Semiconductor Forums offers a Design For Test Forum, a Physical Design Forum and a Verification Forum where those already in the field offer advice and recommend reports and articles on semiconductors and electronics.

With a tough economy and declining sales, the electronics industry faces uphill challenges this year. If you work or plan to work in the semiconductor or electronics industry, education and training will boost your value to customers, potential clients and your company, in addition to increasing your own marketability.

Before searching for training and education programs dealing with electronics and semiconductors, get familiar with the terminology that's tied to the industry's resources. This guide offers five terms to help steer you in the right direction when it comes to finding electronics and semiconductor training and education: IEEE, Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International, Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center, Electronics.ca Publications and Tapping America's Potential.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

IEEE

IEEE is a non-profit trade organization for high-tech industries that offers numerous education programs to boost skills and knowledge of those working in all aspects of the engineering sciences. It provides opportunities for professional development through online courses, conferences, journals and magazines.

I recommend: Learn more about IEEE educational activities at the association's website.

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI)

SEMI is an international trade association for photovoltaic, display and microelectronic industry supply chains. The organization hosts conferences and trade shows and participates in standards development, public policy and workforce development.

I recommend: Use the SEMI website as a source for finding training opportunities. Click on the Training/Reference link in the paragraph at the top of the page for access to training videos and reference books. Explore links on the left side of the page for more information on other educational events.

Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center (MATEC)

MATEC came about as the result of a vision to create a national education and development center for semiconductor manufacturing and other like-minded industries in the mid 1990s. The center, in concert with its industry and education partners, develops programs, training and educational materials to help students successfully master the core competencies required of those working in the semiconductor and related industries. Those competencies include math, science, technology and communications.

I recommend: Learn more about the history of MATEC at the organization's website. Click on the links at the top of the page to find more information on MATEC curriculum development, professional development, workforce development and other education opportunities.

IPC

IPC is an international trade association headquartered in Illinois for those working in all aspects of the electronics industry. More than 2,700 companies belong to the organization founded in 1957. It serves as an industry source for training, standards, public policy advocacy and market research.

I recommend: Scroll over "Knowledge" in the gray bar at the top of the page and then click on any of the links to learn more about IPC training, certification and other professional development opportunities.

Tapping America's Potential (TAP)

Tapping America's Potential is the name of the effort started by 15 business organizations in 2005 to double the number of graduating science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors by 2015. The project's goal is to get these graduates into technical career fields like the electronics and semiconductor industries.

I recommend: Learn more about the campaign at the TAP website.