Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and Tempe-based Benchmark Electronics, Inc., a global leader in engineering, design, and manufacturing services, have joined forces to create long-term career opportunities for women in the Valley. The partnership will provide free online and hands-on job training, industry-recognized certifications, and direct access to well-paying job opportunities in advanced manufacturing.
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The Benchmark Hybrid Training Program was developed through a collaborative effort between Benchmark’s manufacturing experts, Fresh Start’s career services team, and the workforce development team at Baltu Technologies. With support from Baltutech’s Upskill platform, which helps tailor training to real-world job requirements, the program combines flexible digital coursework with in-person, hands-on training to ensure women are job-ready from day one. Funded through Arizona State University’s Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub (SWAPHub) grant, the program is offered at no cost to Fresh Start clients. Upon completion, participants receive career support from the Fresh Start team, including resume development and interview preparation, and are directly connected with Benchmark hiring managers.
“The partnership between Fresh Start, Benchmark, Baltutech, and ASU was developed from a shared belief in what women can accomplish when given access to resources and real opportunity,” said Abdu Dahr, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Fresh Start. “When a woman transforms her own life, she also positively impacts her children’s future and generations to come. Together, we’re creating a lasting pathway to employment that offers stability, growth, and real opportunity for women in our community, along with helping to fuel Arizona’s future workforce.”
The partnership launched with a recent career fair at Benchmark’s Mesa campus, where Fresh Start women toured the manufacturing site, explored open roles in microelectronics and machining, and met directly with hiring managers. Several participating women received job offers, marking the beginning of a powerful new initiative to propel more women into high-growth, meaningful careers in the industry.
“Partnering with Fresh Start allows us to connect with motivated, resilient women who are ready to learn new skills and thrive in high-tech careers,” said Rhonda Buseman, SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at Benchmark. “By aligning our workforce needs with targeted training and direct access to talent, we’re creating a pipeline that not only strengthens our business but also helps build economic mobility for women in our community.”
BaltuTech has been working closely with both Fresh Start and Benchmark to identify the essential skills and knowledge required to succeed in manufacturing roles. This will give Fresh Start clients a competitive edge, not just within this partnership, but with other employers across the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries. The partnership mirrors the structure of other successful Fresh Start workforce programs, including semiconductor training offered through Maricopa Community Colleges, combining technical instruction with direct job alignment, connections to Arizona employers, and comprehensive support in resume development and interviewing skills.
“We built Upskill to connect people to high-quality jobs through free education that leads directly to real employment opportunities,” said Peter Costa, CEO of Baltu Technologies. “This partnership demonstrates what’s possible when employers, educators, and community organizations come together to create opportunity and redefine career access.”
Women interested in launching a career in advanced manufacturing are encouraged to reach out to Fresh Start now. Several upcoming evening training programs, directly connected to Benchmark and other employers, are open for enrollment, running September 15–26, October 20–31, and December 8–19. The program’s in-person sessions take place Monday through Friday from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Fresh Start staff are available to help women take the first step toward a high-growth career.
To learn more and apply for Fresh Start’s workforce programs, visit www.freshstartwomen.org.
