4.4 Career Ladders & Growth

Progression Criteria: The Objective Ladder

Career ladders must be published, accessible, and based on measurable competency.

Transparency: Every role must have a defined ladder (Level 1 –> Level 5) accessible to all employees.
Meritocracy: Progression relies on demonstrated competency, not tenure.
- Example: An Engineer cannot advance to Senior level without proving mastery of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and statistical tools like Process FMEA and SPC.
- Example: A Technician cannot advance without mastering multi-station operations.

Advancement gates are tied to formal industry certifications.

Technician: Progression requires formal certification in mandatory standards (e.g., IPC-A-610, J-STD-001).
Engineer: Progression requires ownership and successful execution of complex system projects (e.g., leading a multi-department 8D CAPA investigation).

Growth is not always "up"; often, it is "across." Horizontal development increases the flexibility of the workforce and the value of the individual.

Operator Agility: A Rework Technician learning to operate the SPI or AOI machine is a critical asset. This cross-training allows for line balancing during bottlenecks and coverage during absences.
Engineering Breadth: A Process Engineer learning the basics of Test Engineering (e.g., Fixture Design) improves DFM feedback loops.

Regularity: Training is not a one-time event. The organization maintains a calendar of Internal and External Trainings.
- Mandatory: Safety (EHS), ESD, IPC Standards, Code of Conduct.
- Optional: Advanced statistical analysis, leadership workshops, new technology seminars.
Access: Every employee has a defined training budget (time and cost) to pursue relevant skills.

Mandate	Criteria	Verification Action
Transparency	Career ladders are published and accessible to all.	Management confirms all employees have reviewed their current career ladder status.
Skill Verification	Advancement requires verification of competencies in technical, quality, and leadership domains.	Progression from Technician to Senior Technician requires mandatory IPC certification.
System Ownership	Senior roles require documented ownership of successful system-level improvements.	Engineer advancement linked to the successful closure of complex 8D/CAPA investigations.
Horizontal Growth	Cross-training is tracked and rewarded.	Matrix shows operators certified on multiple stations (e.g., Print + Reflow).
Training Schedule	Regular schedule of mandatory and optional training is published.	HR audit confirms compliance with the annual training calendar.