OUR LOCATIONS
SCAN CALIFORNIA
California is the home state for the microelectronics industry, boasting the region known as “Silicon Valley.” Although the region has changed dramatically since the chip industry launched decades ago, California is still the nation’s epicenter of technology with a long history of innovation and progress. SCAN CA is an opportunity to refortify the region’s semiconductor workforce.
SCAN UPDATES
The California team is strengthening the industry workforce with program development in the Bay Area. We collaborate with community-based organizations to create a more expanded talent pipeline and are eager to partner with more companies seeking new entry-level talent or aiming to upskill their current employees.
A number of SEMI member Bay Area companies have launched Registered Apprenticeship Programs through SCAN. We are thrilled to announce that Applied Materials, Infinera, and Western Digital have hired apprentices. Other companies are moving through the DOL/DAS registration process, and we anticipate their programs will launch soon. The SEMI Foundation is a recipient of the California Workforce Development Board High Road Training Partnership grant. In collaboration with JobTrain and Ohlone College, we are preparing entry-level job seekers for careers in advanced manufacturing. Stay tuned for more information about enrolling in these Introduction to Semiconductor courses.
Stay tuned for updates on our progress and new apprenticeship openings at SCAN employers in the region. If your company is interested in building a Registered Apprenticeship Program or learning more about the model, please reach out to scanca@semi.org.
SCAN CA EVENTS
SCAN CA launched the Semiconductor Workforce Development Collaborative to convene partners in the Bay Area to develop improved workplace culture and sustainable partnerships for quality jobs in the microelectronics industry.
Join us for our next Semiconductor Workforce Development Collaborative Meeting—High Road to Microelectronics, funded by the California Workforce Development Board’s High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) grants. These quarterly meetings connect Bay Area educational institutions, community-based organizations, and workforce development partners with semiconductor industry employers to strengthen and expand the workforce. We welcome any member companies with Bay Area sites to participate in the collaborative or any of the activities above. Please email scanca@semi.org to get involved.
Check out the slide decks from our recent Collaborative meetings!
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Interested in launching your career in the semiconductor industry? Western Digital, Applied Materials, Enablence, and Infinera recruit several times a year. Click here for more information.
ABOUT SCAN CA
In fall of 2023, in collaboration with our dedicated employers and partners, SCAN CA proudly unveiled California’s pioneering Registered Apprenticeship Program for the semiconductor industry. We’re honored to be the first to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Labor and CA Division of Apprenticeship Standards for this program in California. Through SCAN, employers offer apprentices a golden opportunity to join the industry, supported with comprehensive on-the-job training and specialized educational courses. We invite more employers to join this groundbreaking initiative. For details, reach out to scanca@semi.org.
meet the california team
Omar Baza joined the SEMI Foundation as Sr. Specialist, Workforce & Training Operations, Global Education Initiatives in June 2024.
He will be responsible for supporting SEMI Foundation workforce and training programs through the SCAN initiative. He will work in close collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including employers, program participants, job-seekers, partners, and government agencies to coordinate and implement programs that improve the growing workforce for the microelectronics industry.
Before joining SEMI, Omar worked in Higher Education and Workforce Development. His most recent role was as a Senior Grant Administrator for the Foundation for California Community Colleges where he was responsible for the implementation and oversight of state and federal grants.
In his spare time, Omar enjoys frequent trips to the San Diego Zoo with his fiancé and 16-month-old daughter. His household also consists of two cats and a high-maintenance Betta fish.
Anissa Hamdon-Morison joined the SEMI Foundation at SEMI in June 2024 as a Curriculum Developer and Training Manager.
Anissa will be responsible for designing, developing, and partnering with robust training programs that improve outcomes for employees, job seekers, and member companies. She will analyze employer data, worker wisdom, and training partner capabilities to update, revise, and create curriculum and training programs and assist the SEMI Foundation in becoming a certified training body.
Before joining SEMI, Anissa was in a project management role with ASML, focusing on new product introduction and cross-sector collaboration. She also has many years’ experience in teaching and learning, having worked in K-12 education and as a manager of training and curriculum development in the public sector.
In her spare time, Anissa enjoys playing tennis, reading, and soaking up San Diego sunshine with her family.
Berton Mahardja joined the SEMI Foundation in September 2021 and is the Director of Education and Regional Initiatives. Berton helps envision, design, and lead the expansion of current programs and the creation of new programs that support STEM learning for students and adults. He works to evolve, deliver, and grow successful global programs, build relationships with member companies and educational institutions, and enhance the impact and effectiveness of all of SEMI Foundation’s education programs.
Before joining SEMI, Berton led a successful school turnaround as the Vice Principal at Redwood High School in Redwood City, California that decreased school policy violations by 89%, lowered school suspensions by 70%, and raised attendance rates by 18%. Prior to that position, Berton served as Director of Teacher Engagement at Teach for America, and as a Special Education Teacher, Resource Specialist for San Jose Unified School District. Berton enjoys skiing, traveling, and cooking.
Clarissa Marks joined the SEMI Foundation as a Contract Compliance & Data Administrator in June 2024. Clarissa will be responsible for developing and executing administrative setup and operations of SEMI Foundation SCAN programs, especially in California. She will support the administration of apprenticeship, earn and learn, or other workforce programs within SCAN, enabling the larger SEMI Foundation team to operate at their best and expand our workforce initiatives.
Clarissa brings a wealth of experience and expertise in grant administration and management within public and non-profit roles. Before joining SEMI, Clarissa worked as a Director of Program Operations for a non-profit called UpStart, which provides training and skill-building for entrepreneurial social enterprise leaders. She has also worked as a podcast producer developing branded podcasts and educational audio.
In her spare time, Clarissa enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, and watching movies with her spouse and grumpy cat.
Purvi Rami joined the SEMI Foundation as a Program Manager, Registered Apprenticeships in January 2024. She will be responsible for developing the capacity and expertise of the SEMI Foundation in building and supporting Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs), and engaging community organizations as thought partners around RAP design, delivery, and execution. Specifically, Purvi will collaborate with community organizations to increase awareness of apprenticeship in the microelectronics industry in California and support the success of program participants. A key part of her work will be reaching out to underserved communities and helping to shift an industry toward more effective hiring and retention.
Before joining SEMI, Purvi was a program manager for the Healthcare Career Advancement Program (H-CAP), where she facilitated a statewide initiative to create a supportive network of labor-management training partnerships, resulting in federal registration of new apprenticeship programs, a streamlined state healthcare apprenticeship registration process, and the development of a coordinated strategy for healthcare apprenticeship expansion in California. She comes to the SEMI Foundation with over 15 years of experience working for public, private, and government sector organizations focused on education, workforce development, philanthropy, and healthcare. Purvi holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication Studies from UCLA. Outside of work, Purvi enjoys reading, walking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Rob Sanger joined the SEMI Foundation in January 2024 as a Program Manager, Workforce & Training for California. Rob will be responsible for developing the capacity and expertise of the SEMI Foundation in building and supporting Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) for roles in microelectronics in California, and scaling apprenticeship programs across many employers. A key part of his work will be developing partnerships across member companies, government agencies, service providers, and much more.
Before joining SEMI, Rob served as the Director of Workforce Programs at the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA). At CMTA, Rob directed the marketing, sales, training, and strategic planning for workforce incentive partnerships with the State of California and the Federal Government. Rob also worked as a Program Manager at Applied Materials earlier in his career. He comes to SEMI with over 20 years of experience in workforce development, training and public-private partnerships. Rob holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Rob enjoys hiking, skiing, and outrigger canoe paddling in his free time in Northern California.