You know the labor situation is bad when even the Air Force is getting involved to find solutions.

Indeed, as was recently announced, the Air Force Research Laboratory is working with NextFlex to come up with ways to attract students to careers in technology and science.

NextFlex isn’t a random choice. It was formed under the auspices of the US Department of Defense’s Manufacturing Technology Program. As one of eight DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, the consortium is a partnership among the DoD, industry and academia. Its specific focus is development of flexible hybrid electronics (FHE), and to develop an education and workforce development program.

To the latter, the goal is nothing less than the creation of a skilled pipeline of STEM talent ranging from R&D to manufacturing. To that end, NextFlex is working on training and recruitment programs that work hand-in-hand with existing curricula. Called FlexFactor, this model is considered far more effective than designing a program from scratch and convincing institutions to adopt it.

BANNOCKBURN, IL -- Materials and labor costs continue to be the largest issue facing the electronics supply chain, with nine in 10 electronics manufacturers reporting rising materials costs and more than three-fourths reporting rising labor costs.

JACKSONVILLE, IL – Foxhole Group, a private investment firm focused on the industrial sector, has partnered with J.J. and Sherri Richardson to recapitalize CCK Automations, a designer and manufacturer of printed circuit board assemblies, injection molded plastics and specialty machining.

BANNOCKBURN, IL — North American printed circuit board fabricators reported the 90-day moving average shipments edged up 5.4% over last year in November.

BANNOCKBURN, IL — November shipments among North American electronics manufacturing services rose 2.5% year-over-year, IPC announced.

MILPITAS, CA — North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers posted $3.93 billion in billings worldwide in November, according to SEMI, up 50.6% year-over-year and 5% sequentially.

BILLINSTAD, NORWAY – Kitron has entered into an agreement to acquire BB Electronics for a total of approximately DKK 600 million (US$91 million).

TAIPEI -- A subsidiary of Delta Electronics will acquire Universal Instruments for $88.9 million, Delta announced today. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, and is expected to generate substantial synergies by through the companies' respective R&D operations and global customer base.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Lacroix has signed an exclusive agreement for the acquisition of a majority stake in Firstronic.

SENAI, MALAYSIA – V.S. Industry Berhad reported fiscal first quarter 2022 revenue of MYR 968 million (US$228.8 million), a decrease of 1.9% year-over-year.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Jabil reported fiscal first quarter net revenue of $8.6 billion, an increase of 9.4% year-over-year.

STOCKHOLM – Electronics manufacturer Note updated its financial targets and sustainability goals today. By 2025, the firm is targeting a sales level of at least SEK 5 billion (US$548.3 million). The EMS company predicts high organic growth complemented by acquisitions.