The Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA) officially inaugurated the Thailand PCB Academy on August 22, aiming to strengthen industry-academia cooperation and cultivate local talent as Taiwanese PCB manufacturers expand their footprint in Thailand.

Major industry players such as Compeq (3715-TW), Tripod (2368-TW), Unimicron (3037-TW), and HannStar Board (2313-TW) have all invested in Thailand in recent years, driving strong demand for skilled professionals. TPCA Chairman Chang Yuan-ming said the academy will serve as a platform to bridge the talent gap, adding that the group has already signed memorandums of understanding with Thai universities, organized recruitment matchmaking events, and launched online training programs.

The launch ceremony gathered a wide range of dignitaries, including James Lan, Taiwan's representative in Thailand; Ms. Sudhasinee Smirtra, Senior Executive Investment Advisor at the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI); and Dr. Punpermsak Aruni, Assistant Permanent Secretary at Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. All expressed strong support for the initiative, noting its potential to accelerate Thailand's electronics industry development.

Speakers from both industry and academia also shared perspectives. Ms. Panisa from Thailand's National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) outlined current trends in university development. VanW President Vichai Saksuriya, a former Delta Electronics executive, discussed the strengths and challenges of Thailand's workforce. Unimicron Senior Manager Huang Ya-ting highlighted the hiring needs of Taiwanese firms in Thailand, while students from Khon Kaen University shared their experiences with TPCA's online training programs.

TPCA said the Thailand PCB Academy will become a key platform for collaboration between Taiwan and Thailand, with the goal of nurturing professional talent and supporting the long-term growth of the electronics supply chain.