BANNOCKBURN, Ill, USA, June 13, 2011 ― IPC ― Association Connecting Electronics Industriesreg; has announced the EMS Program Manager Training and Certification dates for 2012.

A four-part curriculum that culminates with a certification exam, IPCs EMS Program Manager Training and Certification is designed to provide preparation for and insight into the varied business, operations and management issues specific to an EMS organization. The 2012 training dates are:  Introduction to the EMS Industry and Program Management ― February 2728, at IPC APEX EXPOtrade;, San Diego, Calif.; May 1819, Arlington, Va.; late September, in conjunction with 2012 IPC Midwest, Schaumburg. Ill.; October 56, Tampa, Fla.

EMS Training II ― March 12, at IPC APEX EXPO, San Diego; June 2223, Columbus, Ohio; late September, in conjunction IPC Midwest, Schaumburg, Ill.; November 23, Tampa, Fla.  EMS Leadership Training and Certification Exam ― March 13, at IPC APEX EXPO, San Diego; July 1921, Columbus, Ohio; late September, in conjunction with IPC Midwest, Schaumburg, Ill.

; December 68, Tampa, Fla.  Certification Exam only ― March 3, at IPC APEX EXPO, San Diego; July 21, Columbus, Ohio; late September, in conjunction with IPC Midwest, Schaumburg, Ill.

; and December 8, Tampa, Fla. Appropriate for experienced managers, new managers and managers in training, the program covers critical topics including operations, finance, contract and time management, as well as essential leadership skills. However, the program is not just for program managers, as Paul Forker, vice president of sales for Quality Production Ltd.

notes, I took the course and it really helped me to see how operations, legal, accounting, and customer service all come together to support our customers.

I have a much clearer understanding of how I can better assist my team members and coordinate resources in support of our customers goals.

The first part of the course, Introduction to the EMS Industry and Program Management, is a two-day overview of EMS program management and the EMS industry, providing interactive lectures, group discussions and exercises with industry leaders.

The next segment, EMS Training I, is a self-study/online tutorial that provides students with background information in basic business areas, such as customer relations, legal issues, accounting, supply chain management and more. EMS Training II is a two-day course that expands on the basic concepts and their relevance to specific EMS situations. The final segment, EMS Leadership Training, covers effective communication practices, conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques to meet the leadership challenges presented by any customer project.

Becoming a certified EMS program manager (CEPM) expands a managers expertise and cultivates necessary skills to help a company save time and money.

Earning certification can also be a powerful tool for winning clients, said Susan Filz, IPC industry programs director. Program management means something different in every company. But by enhancing leadership skills and gaining a deeper understanding of diverse responsibilities, program managers can bring more value to their companies and their customers.

For more information on earning the CEPM designation or to register, visit www.ipc.org/EMScert or contact Susan Filz at SusanFilz@ipc.org.  About IPC IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global trade association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 2,900 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test.

As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $1.

85 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Arlington, Va.; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore, India; and Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing, China.