Western Technical College

   Western Technical College (WTC) announced that a new training component for a hand-soldering certification  is being offered in El Paso to students of the Electronic Engineering Technology Program and businesses or government entities. 

   The J-STD-001 is an international high-reliability hand-soldering certification offered through the IPC (formerly: Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits). The course is an intensive 40 hour certification of the J-Standard-001 which is utilized by both the Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA. Many entry level electronic technicians are required to be certified prior to working on any military or NASA circuit board.  Technicians are also required to re-certify every two years. According to the US Department  of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, many employers that hire electrical and electronic assembly workers, especially those in the aerospace and defense industries, require certifications in soldering, such as those offered by the IPC.

   Employees of Newtec, a support contractor for White Sands Missile Range, the 46th Test Group, and the Electronic Proving Ground recently attended the new training being offered. Michelle Herrera, a recent graduate of WTC was also one of the first students of the college to have recieved the training that is geared towards those who operate and work with electronic & electrical products, Herrera said, “Taking this training for me, was no different than the feeling a child gets when walking into a candy store!”

   Manny Moreno, a Manager for Boeing, says “In our industry we work with high reliability system warranties, and it is fundamental that our employees must be certified in soldering.” He adds that Western Technical College’s recent attainment of the J-STD-001 hand soldering- certification is “great, and having students earn their certifications is a great accomplishment.” Moreno also comments that he is considering a partnership with the College to have Boeing employees earn their certifications as well.