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EMAC Workforce
Development

Workforce Development & Student Technical Sessions
Explore emerging technologies, connect with industry and education, and find practical resources for your next step in electronics manufacturing.

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About the Program

The EMAC Workforce Development and Student Technical Sessions bring students and industry professionals together to explore the technologies and skills shaping electronics manufacturing.

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Hear workforce insights, take part in interactive conversations, and discover resources for hiring, internships, training, and career development. Focused technical presentations connect emerging technologies with opportunities to learn and grow.

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Tuesday, October 27, 2026

At SMTA International

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For students and industry professionals

Connect around careers, skills, and workforce needs.

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Learn, participate, and connect

Keynote insights, interactive tables, and student technical sessions.

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Workforce Development & Student Technical Sessions

Take a closer look at AI, electronics tooling, and UHDI through three focused technical presentations.

10:45 AM

Workforce Development Keynote

Emerging Technologies in Electronics Manufacturing—Workforce Data and Trends
Presented by: Brian McCarthy

11:30 AM

Electronics Manufacturing & Assembly Collaborative (EMAC) Program Update

Recent accomplishments, partner recognition, and a look ahead
Presented by: Tara Dunn, Director of Training and Education

1:00 PM

AI in Electronics Manufacturing: From Data to Better Decisions

Presented by: Mukund Shenoy, Abakai LLC — Founder and Principal

1:30 PM

3D Printing for Electronics Tooling

Presented by: Pradeep Lall

2:00 PM

Small Circuits, Big Impact: The Cool Tech Behind UHDI

Presented by: John Johnson, Director of Quality & Advanced Technology—American Standard Circuits

2:30 PM

EMAC Community of Interest Discussion 

Industry • Training • Students • Academia

3:30 PM

Prize Drawing and Wrap-Up

Raffle winners announced

What to Expect

Workforce insight and practical conversations, with opportunities to participate.

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Emerging Technology Keynote

Explore emerging technologies alongside workforce data and trends from recent SMTA events.

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EMAC Update

Hear about recent accomplishments, academic and business partners, upcoming initiatives, and Back to Basics content.

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Interactive Learning

Join table conversations and activities designed to connect workforce challenges with practical resources.

Find Your Next Step

Whether you’re exploring a manufacturing career or developing the people who will move the industry forward, bring your questions and join the conversation.

For Students & Emerging Talent

▶  Explore career paths in electronics manufacturing

▶  Connect with companies and industry professionals

▶  Learn about internships and training opportunities

▶  Discover emerging manufacturing technologies

For Industry & Education

▶  Discuss hiring challenges and skills needs

▶  Explore ways to build effective internships

▶  Find technical training resources

▶  Connect around talent pipelines and development

Conversations You Can Put to Work

Explore planned table activities built around the questions students, employers, and educators are asking.

Hiring & Internships

Discuss hard-to-fill roles, identify gaps in your hiring pipeline, and explore what makes an internship work. Connect with EMAC around candidate sourcing, training, curriculum, and regional initiatives.

Training & Skills

Explore training opportunities through EMAC and SMTA, including technical options for engineers and others developing their electronics manufacturing skills.

Student Career Exploration

Try a career path matching activity and use the “What’s Your Next Step” board to explore careers, find internships, or connect with companies.

Help Shape the Future Workforce

Join students, educators, and industry professionals at SMTA International to explore new technologies, exchange ideas, and build connections that support your next step.

Event Sponsors

Media Partners

SMTA International is the electronics manufacturing industry’s premier technical conference and exhibition. Presented by the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA), the event brings together engineers, researchers, and industry leaders for five days of technical exchange, innovation, and collaboration.

SMTA International is co-located with The Assembly Show.

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Contact Us

Email | smta@smta.org

Phone | +1 (952) 920-7682

 

SMTA Headquarters
6600 City West Parkway, Suite 300
Eden Prairie, MN 55344 USA

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