HUNTSVILLE — Drake State Technical and Community College has joined with edX and Jobs for the Future to provide adults no-cost, online boot camp programs in cybersecurity and data analytics.
The program, called Access Partnerships, connects colleges and universities with local workforce agencies and funding partners to create affordable pathways for underserved adult learners to gain career-relevant technology skills.
“Drake State has long been committed to offering flexible, affordable technical degrees and customized skills training to support and enhance the lives of our workforce and the health of our industries across North Alabama,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State. “Our new Access Partnership with edX will help us continue to meet workforce demands by preparing highly-skilled workers to take on roles in Huntsville’s unique blend of space and defense industries, biotechnology, healthcare, and high-tech manufacturing.”
The scholarships are designed to increase technical talent in the Huntsville area, specifically focusing on helping women, BIPOC, and lower-income professionals build stronger economic futures.
The program will be offered to 60 people in the Huntsville area beginning in November – 30 seats in the cybersecurity boot camp and 30 in the data analytics boot camp.
Students who complete the boot camp program will receive college credit that can be applied toward an associate’s degree at Drake State. Over the next three years, the program is estimated to support more than 150 Huntsville area residents.
edX has convened more than a dozen community partners, including United Way of Madison County and Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce, to offer a range of services, including child care services, technology support, transportation assistance, and facilitating connections with potential employer partners, all aimed at providing comprehensive support to learners.
“Supporting workforce development and career readiness are key components of United Way’s goals for making education more accessible to all members of our community,” said Daniel Kasambira, President and CEO of United Way of Madison County. “By partnering with Drake State, edX, and our fellow community organizations, we’re activating collective strengths across sectors to meet learners wherever they are and ensure they are supported in every aspect of their educational journey.”
According to Lightcast Labor Insights, there have been more than 2,000 job postings for cybersecurity skills and more than 2,500 job postings for data analysis skills in the Huntsville area over the last six months.
“edX is creating a sustainable workforce development model through our Access Partnerships. By bringing localized leaders in education and economic development together with key funding partners, we are delivering free or significantly reduced-cost, career-relevant education to underserved communities worldwide,” said Anant Agarwal, founder of edX and Chief Platform Officer at 2U. “Working together with Drake State and other partners in the Huntsville community, we aim to improve access to quality education and help diversify the tech talent pipeline as demand for cybersecurity and data analyst roles continue to grow.”
For more information and to apply for the program, visit hwww.drakestate.edu/data-analytics-cybersecurity-boot-camps.
Organizations interested in supporting the Access Partnership initiative in Huntsville can contact [email protected].
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