Intel's first U.S. apprenticeship program for
manufacturing facility technicians offers competitive wages,
guaranteed jobs, and nationally recognized credentials to
participants
PHOENIX, July 15,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant move towards
empowering women in advanced manufacturing and building a diverse
Arizona workforce, Intel has
partnered with Fresh Start Women's Foundation to recruit its first
all-women cohort for the launch of its inaugural apprenticeship
program for manufacturing facility technicians. This initiative
underscores Fresh Start's commitment to equipping Valley women with
the access, resources, and opportunities needed to achieve
self-sufficiency and use their strength to thrive.
At a launch event with Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs, hosted by
Arizona Commerce Authority President & CEO Sandra Watson, Intel Chief People Officer
Christy Pambianchi explained,
"Facility technicians are especially difficult to find. There is a
much smaller pool of trained applicants with this specific skill
set. The Intel apprenticeship program addresses this challenge by
expanding the semiconductor talent pipeline and providing critical
support structures, especially needed for women and
underrepresented groups, to help meet the workforce demand of the
future."
Intel's pilot apprenticeship program is launching with ten Fresh
Start women. The program will offer a combination of classroom
instruction and on-the-job training to prepare participants for
successful careers in the semiconductor industry. The Fresh Start
women, graduates of the QuickStart Semiconductor Technician program
offered at Mesa Community College, will
embark on a journey that not only enhances their skills but also
offers them a tangible pathway to a stable and rewarding
career.
"When I first applied to Fresh Start, I was struggling with
postpartum depression and felt like my only identity was as a mom.
Fresh Start helped me realize my potential and discover a passion
for the tech field," said Laura
Jabalera, one of the women who applied to the program. "This
Intel apprenticeship offers me the chance to continue learning and
start a career that inspires me. It's about breaking the cycle of
living paycheck to paycheck and creating a brighter future for
myself and my daughter."
Participants in the one-year registered apprenticeship program
will earn a competitive wage from day one as full-time Intel
employees. Upon successful completion, they will be guaranteed a
job at Intel and receive a portable, nationally recognized
credential.
"Fresh Start has been pivotal in my journey towards a new career
as a single mom," added Gabby Medina, another Fresh Start applicant
for the apprenticeship program. "Fresh Start's support has
empowered me to break free from past challenges and embrace a
future in technology that I never thought possible. This
apprenticeship with Intel is not just about learning new
skills—it's about paving a path to independence and showing other
women that we can thrive in this industry."
To date, over its 33-year history, Fresh Start has empowered
over 60,000 Arizona women on their
journeys to build brighter futures for themselves and their
children. Through personalized programs focused on critical areas
of need from health and well-being, computer skills, financial
management, resume building, professionalism, and career
development, education has remained at the core of Fresh Start's
mission. The organization is proud to strategically partner with
educators and employers to provide career training and employment
opportunities to help women achieve self-sufficiency.
Intel will continue to prioritize workforce development
initiatives that create inclusive pathways, improve people's lives
and enable the company to create life-changing technology. With
additional CHIPS Act funding, Intel hopes to expand the new
apprenticeship program to its other U.S. sites.
For more information about programs and services or to make a
donation to Fresh Start Women's Foundation, please visit
www.freshstartwomen.org.
About Fresh Start Women's Foundation:
Fresh Start's
mission is to provide access and resources that help women achieve
self-sufficiency and use their strength to thrive. Our ultimate
vision is to create unlimited opportunities for women. For over
three decades, Fresh Start has supported more than 60,000
Arizona women, serving more than
4,000 women each year. 82% are mothers, 62% are single mothers and
67% are women of color. These women face a variety of barriers
hindering their ability to be personally or financially
self-sufficient, including domestic violence, generational poverty,
and unemployment. Through our award-winning Impact Program, Fresh
Start offers focused programs, services, access to training and
education, as well as employment and career services to help women
reach their personal and professional goals. For more information,
visit www.freshstartwomen.org or connect with us on Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Fresh Start Women's Foundation