TALENT DEVELOPMENT
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) | September 30, 2022
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) today announced a collaboration with the tech talent accelerator SkillStorm designed to provide increased access to industry-recognized credentials in high-demand enterprise technologies, including AWS, Salesforce, CompTIA and Pega. An initiative of UNLV Continuing Education, the collaboration is specifically focused on driving technology talent to the UNLV community.
"As an institution that is committed to supporting a growing population of nontraditional learners, we are always in search of new approaches that can help bridge the gap between learning and work,This collaboration is about expanding access to technology certification courses that can help our students, alumni, and community members access careers in the region's fastest-growing industries "
Chris L. Heavey, UNLV executive vice president and provost.
This collaboration continues an ongoing effort at UNLV, a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority Serving Institution (MSI), to create new opportunities for students and community members to access technology training. Last year, the institution launched an incubator to support student and faculty entrepreneurs, and this past summer, UNLV Continuing Education introduced multiple programs and certifications in Cybersecurity, Software Development, Analytics, Sales Operations, and Sales Development Science to upskill alumni and the local community. Against a backdrop of ongoing technological change in the workplace, higher education institutions have both an opportunity and a responsibility to help students and community members alike access the skills that today's employers demand, said Justin Vianello, CEO at SkillStorm. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is exemplifying the crucial role that colleges and universities can play in building diverse pipelines of tech talent that help to close both talent and equity gaps across the country.
About UNLV Division of Educational Outreach
The Division of Educational Outreach at UNLV is committed to creating an environment that promotes quality instruction, professional development, stimulating research, and community engagement. The courses and programs that we offer are developed with excellence in mind. The Continuing Education unit designs and delivers high quality non-credit programs, courses, workshops and seminars to both professional and casual learners. The Division's programs support UNLV's mission and core themes. UNLV DEO is located on the Paradise campus of UNLV. Learn more at edoutreach.unlv.edu
About UNLV
UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution of more than 31,000 students and 3,900 faculty and staff that has earned the nation's highest recognition for both research and community engagement from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. UNLV offers a broad range of respected academic programs and is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diverse population and workforce, driving economic activity, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada. Learn more at unlv.edu.
About SkillStorm
SkillStorm is bringing together Fortune 500 employers, universities, and government agencies to build tomorrow's highly skilled tech workforce. Through partnerships with platforms like Pega, Salesforce, AWS and ServiceNow, we help working learners and aspiring tech experts build in-demand skills and earn industry-recognized certifications to compete in an increasingly dynamic economy. Our work is rooted in the belief that closing skill gaps and boosting economic mobility are two sides of the same coin, and that new approaches to training can help to both expand the pool of skilled tech talent and create new pathways to opportunity.
Read More
CORPORATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Fullstack Academy | November 04, 2022
Fullstack Academy, a national tech education provider, announced today that it was selected to join the Amazon Career Choice program. Through the program, Fullstack Academy will offer Web Development and Cybersecurity bootcamps to eligible Amazon employees across more than thirty metropolitan areas. The Career Choice program empowers eligible Amazon associates to learn new skills for career success, at Amazon or elsewhere, by offering a variety of education and upskilling opportunities including prepaid college tuition, industry certifications designed to lead to in-demand jobs, and foundational skills such as English language proficiency, high school diplomas, and GEDs. Amazon pre-pays the tuition, books, and fees up to an annual maximum with no lifetime limit for eligible hourly employees. More than 90,000 Amazon employees have participated globally since the program’s inception in 2012 over 35,000 in the U.S. alone. The program is currently offered by 260 education providers across 14 countries. Amazon has a rigorous selection process for education partners and selected Fullstack Academy because of its high proportion of virtual live instruction and support, strong student support mechanisms, and demonstrated commitment to serving groups who are historically excluded in tech.
“We’re honored to be a partner school in the Career Choice program delivering tech training to Amazon’s workforce, not only to increase access to local, in-demand jobs but also to support local community growth,As an AWS Training Partner as well, we are excited to continue expanding our partnership with Amazon – helping to develop new cloud talent through the integration of AWS Cloud Practitioner training and certification. Fullstack Academy Career Choice program graduates will be prepared to complete AWS Cloud Practitioner certification and exam vouchers are included with the program. Together with Amazon, we are committed to providing valuable tech education, job search resources, and continuous improvements to the student experience.”
Jerrad Tausz, CEO of Fullstack Academy.
Fullstack Academy’s Web Development Bootcamp teaches full stack JavaScript, giving students a foundation in both front- and back-end web development and the crucial programming skills needed for in-demand coding jobs. Bootcamp students will graduate with a portfolio to showcase the knowledge and skills required to be hired for roles like web developer, backend engineer, and computer programmer. The Cybersecurity Bootcamp teaches students how to monitor and secure systems, networks, and applications, as well as deploy offensive and defensive tactics needed to appropriately respond to cyber breaches. As part of the bootcamp, students will train for roles such as Information Technology (IT) help desk specialist, systems support specialist, and cybersecurity analyst. These part-time, 30-week training programs are designed for Amazon associates to pursue high-quality career training in tech while continuing to balance work or other commitments. All courses are instructor-led and 100% online. Fullstack Academy places a strong emphasis on career services, including networking opportunities and career counseling. In addition, Fullstack Academy has a hiring partner network of over 840 companies across the U.S., including companies like Bloomberg, Spotify, and Etsy.
We’re committed to providing our employees with best-in-class support as they seek to advance their careers,” said Tammy Thieman, global director of Career Choice at Amazon. “Our partner network of educators offers access to in-demand skills training, further education opportunities, and job placement resources in high-growth fields. Career Choice is proud to add Fullstack Academy to our robust list of career training partners for Amazon employees looking to build their skills in the tech industry.
About Fullstack Academy
Fullstack Academy is a national tech education provider based in New York City. Founded in 2012, it offers web development, cybersecurity, data analytics, DevOps, and product management bootcamps. Fullstack Academy also offers the Grace Hopper Program, an immersive software engineering course for women and non-binary students, in addition to partnerships with leading universities nationwide, including Virginia Tech, Caltech CTME, and Louisiana State University. Graduates have been hired by Google, Facebook, Amazon, Fortune 100 firms, and startups.
Read More
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) | November 25, 2022
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has launched a new internship program for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to help bridge the opportunity gap for students of color—offering community development mentorship and experience that gives young people a leg up when entering the workforce. Over the next two years, LISC's National HBCU Talent Development program is placing 40 students in part-time intern positions with local LISC offices and other community development financial institutions (CDFIs). Interns will support a range of initiatives, from marketing to finance to community engagement, while also participating in leadership and national networking events. The program is funded by the Citi Foundation and is specifically designed to address national disparities in internships, with White students significantly more likely to gain paid versus unpaid positions than Black students. The LISC internship pays $25/hour up to $15,000 for the academic year. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not," noted Denise Scott, LISC president, who held a virtual "fireside" chat with the initial cohort of interns last month. This program is part of our work to address systemic racial barriers that keep young people from gaining the experience and connections they need to compete for good jobs," she explained. "Through this program, students can earn a strong wage, gain hands-on experience, work with mentors and build a network of contacts and supporters all while supporting valuable community investment activity," she continued. "It's a win for all of us. At the outset, eight HBCUs are participating in the program, with young people from varied backgrounds and experiences applying to participate. Eryn Glover, for instance, is a sophomore marketing major at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) in Charlotte, N.C., and one of LISC's first HBCU interns. She is working with the staff at LISC Charlotte to support fundraising, social media and community outreach, helping extend LISC's engagement with the region's philanthropic leaders and supporting valuable collaborations with local partners. I've always known that I wanted to do nonprofit work and put my skills to work to help people," said Glover, a South Jersey native who has spent recent summer breaks working at community-based organizations. She chose JCSU for her education because she wanted to attend an HBCU, benefit from a smaller university, and be close to family that had moved to North Carolina. I feel like I have opportunities here, like the LISC internship, that offer the chance to really get to know professors and mentors, and to also make a difference. I want to work in marketing within the nonprofit space, so this internship really aligns with that," she said. In Washington, D.C., Howard University senior Marsi Hailu is interning with the LISC policy team. Her early projects include mapping gaps in broadband access especially in rural communities and researching the disproportionate impact of climate events on low-income communities of color.I already knew that there is a lack of intergenerational wealth in Black and Brown communities because of historical discrimination," she said of her initial research. "But I guess I didn't realize how much that intersects with geography. It's a lot easier to recover from a disaster if you aren't already living paycheck to paycheck," she added. Hailu, a finance major from Northern Virginia, hopes to pursue a graduate degree in urban development after graduation, with a concentration in affordable housing. She said the LISC internship offers the opportunity to try her hand at different aspects of community development, going well beyond what she might learn in her finance classes. In a lot of places, housing is at the root of inequality," she said, explaining her passion for the work. "As someone who grew up in the area, I see the disparities facing low-income folks. I want to do something about that," she said. In addition to Howard and JCSU, initial HBCU supporters of the program include Edward Waters University (Florida), LeMoyne-Owen College (Tennessee), Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), Morehouse College (Georgia), Simmons College (Kentucky), and Virginia State University (Virginia). Additional HBCUs will be referring students in the months to come. LISC's Scott said the universities are eager to help students identify new opportunities for advancement—particularly given that many of the schools already have existing relationships with LISC, collaborating on local efforts related housing and economic development.
"Here at Johnson C. Smith University, we strive to graduate global citizens who develop a compelling sense of social and civic responsibility for leadership and service,. "LISC's internship program is an excellent way for JCSU students to put this possibility into perspective outside of the classroom. Just as we strive to develop a better world by graduating the best and brightest, LISC does the same by investing in its community to make economic equality a reality," he said.
JCSU President Clarence D. Armbrister
The National HBCU Talent Development program draws on the experience of LISC's nearly three decades of work with AmeriCorps, including the Economic Mobility Corps (EMC) launched in 2020. Through EMC, LISC places national service members in positions that help build the capacity of CDFIs. We have long seen the value in connecting people to community development positions in places that they know and care about," Scott said. "Our HBCU internship program takes that a step further, focusing on gaps in opportunity for students of color, injecting equity into CDFI recruitment efforts and building a community development workforce that reflects the people and places it serves.
About LISC
LISC is one of the country's largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. We work with residents and partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity and advance racial equity so that people and places can thrive. Since our founding in 1979, LISC has invested $26.7 billion to create more than 463,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 78.5 million square feet of retail, community and educational space and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances.
Read More