Electronics Training and Certification: Crucial Elements in the Fight Against Counterfeit Parts

The electronics industry continues to battle fake or counterfeit parts, which production and distribution within the United States and around the world have reached an alarming rate. Tiered supply chains, bargain hunting, reduced inventory levels, part scarcity or out of production, assumption of quality control by others and limited inspection and testing have been determined as among the main reasons for the rise in production of counterfeit electronics and related components and goods.

Image credit: Flickr.com

 In an effort to reduce and eventually expunge this huge problem besetting the sector, it is imperative that manufacturing companies subject their workforce to electronic manufacturing training by a reputable organizations and certification body.

Certification programs for electronic professionals may consist of one or more trainings on, among others:

• counterfeit product auditing or screening;
• counterfeit component QA inspection;
• counterfeit component detection techniques;
• counterfeit component recognition or identification tips; and
• counterfeit component mitigation process.

These comprehensive sets of courses and trainings are expected to equip electronic technicians and specialists with the knowledge and skill to detect and prevent counterfeit components, while advancing the company’s Quality Assurance process.