Who Should Attend

SMTA Certification is intended for manufacturing and process engineers. However, production, design, test and quality engineering personnel, as well as SMT assembly managers who want to confirm their current competence at a fundamental level of overall process technology, should also consider certification. The program assumes that the student has two or more years of SMT experience, is familiar with all basic SMT steps (prior to test) and is competent in college algebra.

Why You Should Participate

Technologies change at the speed of light. There is increasing competition. There are heightened expectations. And there is a tremendous growth in the amount of knowledge and techniques that you need to know. Professionals cannot perform at the top level without expertise in the things they do everyday. The SMTA's comprehensive program will provide the refresher course, study materials and examination that will allow you to be recognized as an SMTA Certified Process Engineer. While other programs certify specific areas of the electronics assembly process (i.e. rework and repair) the SMTA program is the only one to recognize and certify the entire SMT assembly process at an engineering level.

SMTA Certification has become the electronic assembly industry's most respected sign of process excellence. Certification is one way to enhance your stature in our industry. Your certification can also be a marketing tool for your company. They will be able to proudly say that they have team members who are SMTA certified.

What The Certification Program Is
The SMTA Certification program is a three-day offering consisting of a 1.5 day refresher workshop on topics in SMT processes. The program concludes with both open and closed book examinations on days two and three. The workshop, as well as the exam, assumes that the participant has at least 2-3 years of SMT experience and has an educational background equivalent to two years or more of college in a technical discipline. This is not an entry level program. Basic algebra will be used in the workshop and examination. The examination is "competitive" in that it requires both written answers and calculations. The intent of this procedure is to enable the students to establish competitive credentials as "Certified" by the SMTA in SMT Assembly Processes.

Am I Eligible?
The primary requirements for SMTA certification are:

• Two years of college (or equivalent).
• 2-3 years of experience in all aspects of SMT, including process optimization.
• Knowledge of all process and systems steps, including calculations, from screen printing and dispensing through test and inspection.
• Pass the exam.
  
  

Benefits to the Individual

• An opportunity to demonstrateknowledge, experience, and competency.
• An extensive study guide.
• Face-to-face instruction from industry recognized leaders and "top tier" SMTA instructors.
• Open and closed book examinations (not merely multiple choice questions).
• Recognition in SMTA publications and at a yearly.
• Recognition Ceremony.
• Possible career advancement and benefits at performance reviews.

Benefits to the Employer and Industry

• Helps raise the overall competency level of our entire field.
• Provides a means to assess the qualifications of personnel hired.
• Helps assure that the industry has well trained and qualified personnel.
• As a marketing tool you can stress that members of your team are SMTA Certified. Company name, product name, and product or service description will be used verbatim for judging and award purposes.

About the Examination Process
All applicants must pass a combined open and closed book exam. Process Examination covers all process steps from printing and dispensing through test and inspection. Line balancing will also be a major component of the test.

People who do poorly on the exams usually do not have good basic math skills and/or limited SMT experience.

Please note that the exam will be taken at the conclusion of the workshop. Upon passing the examination, the SMTA will issue and mail the certificate via the Hong Kong Chapter within two months of an exam.

SMT Processes Curriculum

• SMT Materials
• SMT Components
• Stencil Printing
• Dispensing
• Component Placement
• Reflow Soldering
• Wave Soldering
• Test and Inspection
• Line Balancing (including down time and line design)

Course Fee
Member: HK$11,000
Non-member: HK$12,800