How to Hire, Train and Keep Fab Talent | Join us on Dec 3

 

Register Can’t attend the live webinar?  Register and we will send you a link to watch the recording at your convenience. Overview: Organizations can support semiconductor workforce stability by combining operational expertise, people-centered employment practices, and targeted workforce solutions. Addressing talent shortages requires more than filling open roles; it requires building a resilient workforce ecosystem that connects hiring, onboarding, skills development, employee engagement, and long-term career pathways. To meet the needs of the next-generation workforce, recruitment and retention practices must become more accessible, flexible, and transparent. This includes expanding entry points into semiconductor careers through partnerships with technical schools, community colleges, universities, workforce boards, and military veteran programs. It also means creating structured pathways that support employees from entry-level roles through ongoing training, certification, mentorship, and advancement. For example, an employee may begin as a technician, operator, or facilities support team member and progress through cleanroom, safety, equipment, leadership, and technical training into senior technical or supervisory roles. Joe Cestari, who leads the strategy and growth of ABM’s semiconductor business, will host two experienced leaders from the semiconductor industry, Darrell McDaniel and Jeannie Jesson, to examine career and technical education partnerships that blend classroom learning with hands-on, industry-standard training. Students start by gaining practical experience with circuits, transistors, relays, robotics, and simulation equipment, helping prepare them to enter the semiconductor industry. From there the discussion will move to employee engagement, retention in the employee experience after hire and how career pathing and succession planning can help leaders address shortages while employees advance in the industry.  These components will all be tied together with exploring how the industry can turn individual hiring and training initiatives into a resilient workforce system.   What You’ll Learn: How to expand your talent pipeline through partnerships with technical schools, community colleges, universities, workforce boards and military veteran programs How hands-on career and technical education prepares new hires with real-world skills in circuits, robotics, automation and simulation equipment How to build structured career pathways that move employees from entry-level technician and operator roles into senior technical and supervisory positions Proven strategies to improve retention and engagement after the hire How career pathing and succession planning help close skill gaps while giving employees room to grow How to turn one-off hiring and training efforts into a resilient, long-term workforce system Who Should Attend: HR, talent acquisition and recruiting leaders at semiconductor companies Workforce development, technical training and learning and development managers Fab operations, manufacturing and site leaders responsible for staffing new or expanding facilities Facilities and operations managers overseeing technician teams Educators, community colleges and workforce program partners supporting semiconductor careers Anyone involved in building or growing a skilled semiconductor workforce   Hosted by:  Joe Cestari ABM Joe Cestari leads the strategy and growth of ABM’s semiconductor business, helping customers navigate industry complexity while advancing innovation, operational excellence, and long-term partnerships. With more than 40 years of leadership experience, his career spans engineering, construction, manufacturing, supply chain, global business development, and every stage of the semiconductor lifecycle. Before joining ABM, he held senior leadership roles with organizations including Applied Materials, Tylan General, TRiMEGA, Kinetics, and M+W Group, and successfully launched and led businesses across Asia. Joe also serves on the Board of Advocates for Baylor University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, supporting stronger connections between academia, industry, and future engineering talent.   Panelists:  Darrell McDaniel ABM Darrell McDaniel is the ABM Vice President of Technical Training and Asset Relocation for the semiconductor industry, where he leads training and asset services and helps customers strengthen operational performance and workforce readiness. With more than 30 years of semiconductor industry experience, he has held executive leadership roles across business development, operations, customer solutions, and strategic growth, including serving as President and CEO of NSTAR Global Services and Senior Vice President of North America Business Operations at WGNSTAR. A strong advocate for workforce development, Darrell created a hands-on Semiconductor Boot Camp to prepare technicians and professionals for successful industry careers. He is committed to mentorship, practical training, and partnerships that help close the talent gap and strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem. Darrell offers a practical, industry-facing perspective on how semiconductor companies can develop technical talent, align workforce capabilities with operational needs, and create career paths that support long-term customer and employee success.   Jeannie Jesson ABM Jeannie Jesson is a Director of Human Resources with ABM, where she leads HR strategy, talent acquisition, and workforce initiatives. With over 25 years of experience in human resources, Jeannie is a dynamic and strategic leader known for building strong HR business partnerships and fostering a workplace culture.  She has held progressive HR leadership roles across the semiconductor, aerospace engineering, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. Her expertise includes strategic business partnership, employee relations, organizational development, recruiting, and compensation, complemented by her work as a leadership coach and mentor.  Her work is deeply rooted in advancing WFD opportunities and expanding access to semiconductor careers through education and industry collaboration.

Register Sponsored by: ABM provides highly specialized support for the semiconductor industry, combining technical workforce, asset management and facility solutions. From base build to tool install and ongoing maintenance, we work with fabs, OEMS, and material providers to maintain safety, uptime, and precision, supporting the advanced production of one of the world’s most demanding and rapidly evolving industries.