TechWorks

The technology talent shortage in the US is a critical problem that affects communities, local employers, and regional workforce organizations. As of late 2019, there were nearly 1 million unfilled tech jobs across the country. TechWorks proposes to connect people with jobs. By engaging learners in a transformative, 12-week technology training, we prepare them for certification and job attainment. TechWorks employs strategies such as group learning, one-on-one tutoring, habit construction/deconstruction, accelerated learning strategies, and holistic support. The program's focus on one-on-one instruction and mindset training is what ensures that each student finds their footing and builds their success. In the last year, TechWorks served 58 students, certified 100% students, and placed 45 students in jobs. Three former TechWorks students were hired as instructors. JobWorks created 16 employer connections and counting. If scaled, we can ensure 80% retention, 100% certification, and 80% job placement rates for another 25 students.

We are working to solve two issues; access to technology education and employment in any of the 1 million or more open jobs in IT support. We work in communities with economically diverse populations, primarily people of color. In those communities, we see unemployment rates that are several percentage points above the national average (listed in October 2020 as 6.9%). These communities are hardest hit by COVID and least likely to have the time and resources to focus on skill development -- many are considered essential workers. We work in Indiana cities such as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Gary. We work in Philadelphia, PA. Finally, we work in Wilmington, DE. Each of these cities has their own unique landscape but every one of them needs is either just below or well above the national unemployment rate --respectively 6%, 5.8%, 7.9%, 8%, and 11.7% as noted by the BLS.

The TechWorks model for learning IT support includes a curriculum covering 4 industry-standard certifications and is delivered over 12 weeks. In order to support the demands of this timeline, we provide one-on-one tutoring, mindset coaching, accelerated learning strategies, habit construction/deconstruction techniques, job search tricks, LinkedIn profile support, and resume development. The four certifications we cover are CompTIA IT Fundamentals, A+, Cloud Essentials, and IBTA's Business Communications. Students meet with their instructor three times a week for 4 hours of group instruction. They receive 2-4 hours of individual tutoring per week. They also receive 1 hour per week of mindset coaching that is designed to increase their confidence and belief in their abilities to succeed in the program and an IT support career. We deliver our model virtually and make every accommodation to ensure all students have the computer equipment, supplies, and support they need to show up and learn. Finally, we support students 30 days beyond the end of class so that they can finish all four certifications and secure a higher-paying, high-demand IT support position. When a student signs up with TechWorks, they sign up for an experience that trains them for lifelong learning and belief in self.

TechWorks works with populations that are unemployed or underemployed. We have developed relationships with Indiana workforce boards and Philadelphia's workforce board to deliver this program to WIOA and EARN-eligible participants. We have a partnership with NERDiT Now, a minority-owned technology repair shop in Wilmington, DE where the program serves as the RTI component for their pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship. The goal of NERDiT's pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship is to bring IT training to Wilmington, Delaware's underserved community so that they can hire and retain graduates of the apprenticeship. 

We ask students what they need through several different tools. We distribute surveys, meet individually with them, and develop action plans to assist in working through obstacles with them. We craft a personal development plan that covers certification content, addresses learning strategies, and captures future goals for success. Finally, we follow up with students 3, 6, and 12 months after they complete the program so that we can assess their progress. One of our goals is to keep all students engaged in lifelong learning for their personal success as well as for the program's success. To that end, we are developing an alumni network that will inform future programmatic content.

TechWorks brings resources and support to underserved communities, and primarily communities of color. TechWorks increases access to high-quality, affordable learning, skill-building, and training opportunities for those entering the workforce, transitioning between jobs, up-skilling, or unemployed/underemployed. To do that, TechWorks implements a competency-based model built with stackable credentials, and empowers each student to be the steward of their lifelong learning journey. Finally, we develop relationships with employers such as 4EOS, NERDiT Now, TEKSystems, Insight Global, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Jefferson University, and more. 

2 full-time staff

1 part-time staff

6 contractors

JobWorks staff and contractors have been supporting diverse communities for over 34 years. The company seeks talent that mirrors the communities we serve. At this time, TechWorks programming staff is comprised of 4 males and 5 females. Of the 9 staff/contractors, 1 identifies as LatinX, 3 identify as African American, and 5 identify as Caucasian. JobWorks continues to recruit students from each TechWorks cohort to become instructors. Two of the four instructors are past TechWorks participants and one is a past participant of the IT apprenticeship JobWorks supports. Finally, each instructor is given the space to influence the model design.

TechWorks employs an innovative approach to learning. The model includes mindset and mindfulness training, accelerated learning strategies, habit construction/deconstruction, and heavy focus on one-on-one instruction. Other training providers focus on skills and jobs. We focus on people and confidence. A portion of our curriculum is developed using successful models designed by Jim Kwik, BJ Fogg, Jay Shetty, and Brendon Burchard. We drill down on obstacles that students experience and work through them with each student. We help the student see those barriers and remove them. Our goal is to empower every student to learn how to adapt to change and forge ahead through the obstacles. 

JobWorks delivers TechWorks virtually so that students can participate anytime, anywhere, and with any skill level. Our lead technician built an LMS platform that weaves together the three online course curriculums for CompTIA IT Fundamentals, A+ and Cloud Essentials. Our instructors meet with students via Zoom. Finally, we include two testing platforms that students use to take practice exams.

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Using our current funding model, our theory of change is as follows:

Enrollment = 150 participants

Certified with one or more certifications = 150 participants

Completed = 120+ participants

Job placement = 120+ participants

Outputs = 6 training consultants will provide 252 hours of curriculum and support to 150 participants.

Short-Term Outcomes = 150 students will be certified in at least two certifications; 75 students will achieve an additional one or two certifications.

Long-Term Outcomes = 120 students find and secure employment. Those 120 students retain employment for one or more years.

Long-Term Outcomes = Build an alumni network that will serve as an ecosystem for support to each other and to future students.

1 year - Expand and implement this solution for 150 more students

5 years - Have a fully built alumni network and support up to 500 students per year. The alumni network will provide pop-up trainings inline with industry innovations. The alumni network will also connect employers to graduates of TechWorks.

The current barriers are funding. We have a robust recruitment model and continue to develop our employer network. We also have the support of two workforce boards with a third pending in Delaware. In order to continue operating this model and expanding, we would need to connect with more workforce boards and secure WIOA funding to deliver this supportive and innovative IT training. 

We will continue to connect with workforce boards by word-of-mouth and the ETPL (Eligible Training Provider List). We will complete RFPs and provide data and statistics that demonstrate how the TechWorks model supports and successfully prepares underserved populations for higher-paying and higher-demand IT support positions.

Sustained employment past one year. 

Student mindset measurements before and after participation in the TechWorks training.

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The team brings a diverse set of skills. First, our CEO has been with the organization since it's inception. Second, our COO is an active member of the National Association of Workforce Boards and continues to make connections to workforce boards in the US. Next, our Regional Director has over 15 years experience in the workforce development sector and has created an infrastructure to support the training staff. Next, our second Regional Director has over 10 years of experience in the Philadelphia region and has successfully built and managed the TechWorks model. Our lead instructor created the course LMS and has 10+ years of experience as a technologist, software developer, and entrepreneur. Each instructor has been through the TechWorks program and is well versed in the content and methodology. Finally, our mindset coach spent 18+ years co-developing an IT pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship model in Philadelphia. Finally, our CFO and accounting staff have supported numerous models in the workforce development arena and have maintained a record of "no findings."

Philadelphia Works - Workforce board (recruitment and funding)

NERDiT Now - Employer partner