Cultivating the Next Generation of RAIN RFID Experts

RAIN technology is one of the fastest-growing and most widely deployed technologies in the world — and the opportunity for the next generation of engineers, technologists, and business leaders to shape its future has never been greater. The RAIN Alliance University Collaboration Program connects students directly with the global industry driving that growth, giving them the certified skills and real-world perspective to enter the workforce ready to make an immediate impact.

Program Components

The RAIN Alliance University Program gives students something special: a direct connection to a thriving global industry while they are still in school. Through industry-designed certification courses and regular briefings from industry experts at the forefront of RAIN technology, students graduate with both the technical credentials and the market awareness that set them apart from day one.

Certification Courses

Our certification courses are built around the skills that matter most in real RAIN deployments — developed by the same organization that sets the global standards for the technology. Students leave with deep, practical expertise and RAIN Alliance certification. It is a meaningful qualification that opens doors.

Encoding Masterclass

Teaches students how to select the right numbering system for any application and generate correct encodings for the most common schemes used in real-world deployments. Topics include:

  • GS1 and ISO/IEC numbering systems — when and how to use each
  • Step-by-step SGTIN encoding for retailer mandates
  • GTIN, GRAI, SSCC, and DOD key encoding in detail
  • ISO/IEC 17360, 20248, and RAIN ISO numbering
  • PC Word configuration for all encoding schemes

Read-Point Design & Deployment

Takes students through the full lifecycle of a RAIN read-point — from UHF physics and antenna selection through to deployment and ongoing maintenance. Topics include:

  • UHF field characteristics, antenna selection, and read zone design
  • Tag and tagged-item impact on read performance
  • Crosstalk, radiated power, link budget, and country-specific regulations
  • Site surveys, proof of concept, and key optimization measurements
  • Reader selection, software integration, and IT systems
  • Deployment, documentation, and operational support

Industry Briefings

There is no substitute for hearing directly from the people building and deploying RAIN technology at scale. Our quarterly briefings give students exactly that — candid, current perspectives from executives and practitioners across retail, healthcare, automotive, logistics, and beyond. It is the kind of industry insight and professional exposure that traditionally only comes years into a career, offered to students while they are still in school.

Gain insights from previous Industry Briefings: