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Agenda

Presentations

Travel & Lodging


When:
April 13-15, 2008

Where:
Walden Inn and Conference Center-DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana
www.waldeninn.com

 



You are the Association's Voices!
 

Connect

ETA’s Connect ‘08 Forum held mid-April brought together electronics leaders representing various realms of Industry, Education, Government, Trade Associations and Media. DePauw University’s Galleria set an appropriate backdrop for the many intense conversations regarding how to put a “new face” on electronics. 

Nearly one-third of the states had representation at the meeting, and through the use of the web ETA enabled global participation in discussion that included:

Innovate

  • Emerging electronics
  • Electronics career awareness
  • Importance of Industry standards
  • In-Demand Workforce
  • Support of Education Programs
  • Financial aid for Industry Education

Dr. Kerry Pannell, Chair of DePauw University’s Department of Economics and Management set a positive start to the forum. Though she depicted projections of a brief decline in the economy, she expounded with an optimistic outlook for continuous growth within the electronics industry. She encouraged the attendees to utilize our associations’ strength to supply more relative statistics in order to promote the education of an in-demand workforce. She commended Connect 08’s proactive approach to ward off an inevitable workforce crisis. 

To recap the scope of the connect forum, the first day engaged the gathered supporters in workshops and roundtables discussions that articulated the various disconnects and challenges faced by our industry.  Joseph Delio, a past educator of Electronics Career and Technical programs for 20 years, but now an industry recruiter, disbursed a passionate discussion through web cast about the challenges and obstacles confronting our educators and their programs. 

“I must say that he [Delio] was very informative and right on target with his analysis of electronics training, education, administration and ultimately job placement.” Richard Wilbourn

Following Delio’s discussion was ETA’s continued endorsement of the National Coalition of Electronic Education (NCEE). We were honored to have present, Dave Bates, President of NCEE as a participant and presenter at Connect ‘08. Over forty participants joined ETA at the forum for the NCEE webcast. Bates announced the initiatives of NCEE for the next two years and encouraged the support of our ETA members, educators and industry leaders. As NCEE association’s administrator for the next two years, ETA will be a key contributor and is committed to the efforts of Bates, NCEE committees, and membership growth. Associations such as NCEE and Certified Service Center are essential to the growth of the electronics industry and its evolution into a new age.
 

Evolve

Tuesday wrapped up the forum with a call to action. As Cindy Hoopingarner led us through a Distributed Leadership activity, which demonstrated the strength of ETA’s members and certified professionals. There was unswerving enthusiasm as we each took five action items away for these three days of forward thinking meetings. One of which was to enhance our leadership as a distributed association through digital networking. The conference also validated the importance of ETA and its certifications.

When Dave Carroll was a National Service Manager for Curtis Mathis, he stated that he hired every CET that came into his door. “They were that good,” Carroll stated. Carroll is now employed at the Nida Corporation.

It was good to encounter support from those who have remained committed to ETA and its efforts and to those with whom we have just begun to build relationships. We welcome our newly founded partnership with BNP Media, in which we broaden the awareness of ETA’s certifications into old and newly emerging fields.

All of this excitement will continue as ETA prepares for its annual conference, Electronics Evolution. We have several key speakers and training sessions lined-up for industry leaders, educators, technicians, and students. Join us at the French Lick Resort and Casino in French Lick, Indiana on October 12-15, 2008. For more information and to register visit www.bnpevents.com/ETA.