3. Training and Development Programs Ongoing training and development are critical for maintaining a one company needed soldering technicians, but had difûculty ûnding skilled and adaptable workforce. Programs like the GATE (Gateway to qualiûed candidates with the required one to two years of experience. Achieving Talent Excellence) program provide comprehensive Eastridge customized the GATE program to include a soldering training and assessment for new entrants into manufacturing, assessment to evaluate candidates' skills and potential resulting in a ensuring that employees have the necessary skills and knowledge to fresh slate of soldering technicians, many of whom were new to the perform their roles effectively and adapt to changing industry ûeld (Eastridge). In another example, the Eastridge GATE program demands. helped a medtech startup quickly scale production by expanding its manufacturing workforce by 300 headcount in just a few months This program has helped a wide range of manufactures expand their (Eastridge). talent pool and signiûcantly improve retention rates. For example,