NPower Opens No-Cost IT Job Training Program for Young Adults in Baltimore, MD
BALTIMORE, Maryland (PRWEB) August 30, 2016 -- Today, NPower, a leading national nonprofit that launches IT careers for veterans and young adults from underserved communities, is thrilled to announce the opening of its 22-week IT Job Training Program in Baltimore, MD which is offered with no tuition charge to qualified students. At NPower’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 30, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. ET, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie-Rawlings-Blake and Congressman Elijah E. Cummings will give invocation speeches to the inaugural class of 25 local young adults, who will be placed in IT jobs in Baltimore in less than 6 months.
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake stated, “I’m honored to support these 25 young people embarking on IT careers that will change their lives, the lives of their families, and the overall quality of life of their communities in Baltimore. And I’m here to make residents from all corners of our city aware of this incredible free opportunity to be placed in an IT job after 22-weeks of professional skills training and on-the-job internship experience.” The Mayor continued, “I am grateful to NPower and its lead funders for bringing this program to our city – together, we are improving the economic situation and quality of life for all of Baltimore’s residents by creating jobs in local businesses and providing our residents with the necessary training and experience needed to turn a job into a career.”
Congressman Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland’s 7th congressional district will welcome the inaugural class to underscore the impact NPower’s program will have on the city of Baltimore. “Mentoring and career counseling are just as important as training in the development of an individual as a career professional,” Cummings said. “It gives me great pride to see local partners, volunteers and businesses work with NPower to provide Baltimore’s young people with skills, experience and jobs so they can change their life trajectories while making a positive economic impact on our community.”
NPower expanded its nationwide free IT Job Placement Program to Baltimore thanks in large part to a grant from Fund II Foundation. Robert F. Smith, President of Fund II Foundation stated, “NPower provides the on-ramp to economic opportunity for young adults and veterans across the country. Today, 25 courageous young adults in Baltimore are poised to pursue dynamic careers in technology. With the dedication of these young people, the future of Baltimore and the nation is in good hands.”
Students enrolling in NPower’s 22-week program are typically unemployed, or motivated to change their career paths from part-time or low-paying jobs. They receive 15-weeks of class-based skills training and complete a 7-week paid internship before being placed in an IT job. Within one year of graduating, 80% of NPower alumni are employed or are pursuing higher education.
“On behalf of NPower, I am grateful to these 25 young adults who have enrolled in our IT job placement program and entrusted NPower with their future,” said Bertina Ceccarelli, Chief Executive Officer of NPower. “I’d like to thank the Mayor for graciously embracing NPower as a new engine for Baltimore’s economic prosperity. And our sincerest thanks go to Fund II Foundation for investing in NPower’s ability to diversify the workforce and close the technology skills gap nationwide by providing support for the program today in Baltimore, as well as the additional programs we will open next year in St. Louis, Alameda, CA, and North Texas.”
Keys to the program’s success include NPower’s strong partnership with corporate technology leaders such as TD Ameritrade, University of Maryland, Accenture and Verizon, who provide jobs, paid-internships and inform the curriculum, substantial local volunteer engagement, and a holistic teaching approach that includes guidance counseling and alumni support long after students graduate.
Along with Fund II Foundation, NPower received key lead funding for this program from Baltimore-based organizations The Abell Foundation, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and the France-Merrick Foundation.
NPower Baltimore Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
1101 West Pratt Street, Suite 1A | Baltimore, MD 21223
Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 1:30 p.m. ET
About NPower
NPower is a national nonprofit that provides underserved young adults and veterans with no-fee IT career training, industry-recognized credentials and paid internships and job opportunities with Fortune 500 companies. NPower also offers career awareness and readiness programs for high school students supported by a network of over 10,000 industry volunteers. NPower programs are free to qualified students. For more information, visit npower.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Fund II Foundation
Fund II Foundation is a charitable foundation, at the heart of which is a deep commitment to advance social change, create opportunity, respect and protect the environment, and preserve our culture. Fund II Foundation is focused on improving lives and opportunities for African-American and other vulnerable populations. For more information on Fund II Foundation, visit http://www.fund2foundation.org.
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Kathryn Harriman, NPower, http://npower.org, +1 212-444-7245, [email protected]
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