Paid Technology Training Program for Low-Wage Workers in West Philly

Posted by ACHIEVEability on March 23, 2021

ACHIEVEability is excited to announce a new, paid training opportunity for individuals in West Philadelphia interested in learning marketable skills for a career in information technology—TechUp.

TechUp targets low-income, un-/under-employed jobseekers with at least a high school diploma, including individuals with justice involvement and opportunity youth. TechUp was created to provide individuals with an opportunity to work safely from their home during COVID-19 and meet the increasing demand for Salesforce professionals.

ACHIEVEability has teamed up with Project Realign to provide this innovative training program. Project Realign, comprised of a group of professionals with experience in Salesforce, technology, nonprofit, private and government industries, is a first-of-its-kind program that offers a path for adults through specific and focused technology training.

Participants will meet for 30 hours per week, and receive a stipend of $15 per hour and technology hardware, if needed, to   ensure they have access to in-person and remote training sessions. Once training is complete, jobseekers will be placed into a hands-on internship to make them more competitive in the job market. TechUp will also pay for participants’ Salesforce Administration exam, as well as provide individualized test prep support.

“TechUp is a unique opportunity for jobseekers to obtain industry and technology skills, as well as hands-on training experience,” said Jamila Harris-Morrison, Executive Director for ACHIEVEability. “This training program will provide communities of color   access to high-wage job opportunities with the necessary skills and experience to obtain employment in the growing business technology sector.”

To help participants remove employment barriers and fully engage in this training and future employment opportunities, ACHIEVEability will provide services with a holistic approach which includes access to supports for transportation, housing, and other basic needs. ACHIEVEability also offers ongoing employment retention coaching to participants to maintain continuous employment.

Following the implementation of this innovative pilot, ACHIEVEability hopes to create a program model that can be scaled for other opportunities in the growing business technology sector and serve more un-/under-employed individuals. TechUp is aimed at creating long-term impact at both the micro and macro levels by disrupting the cycle of low-wage, stagnant jobs for individuals and diversifying the technology sector. Through TechUp, ACHIEVEability will connect individuals to a living-wage, sustainable careers and develop a more equitable workforce.

ACHIEVEability is looking for 15 participants for the first cohort of the TechUp program. Applicants must be motivated, career-minded Philadelphia residents with a high school diploma/GED with some customer service, digital literacy, and the ability to participate in online and in-person classes Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9:00 am and 7:00 pm. All candidates must pass a Microsoft Proficiency Assessment and meet other eligibility guidelines. Classes begin in May 2021.

Interested individuals must complete an Interest Form and participate in one online Virtual Recruitment Session on Zoom. For more information about Tech Up or ACHIEVEability’s many other WorkSmart West Philly services, please contact Renee Settles-Bean, Workforce Development Coordinator, at rbean@achieve-ability.org or (484) 469-0883.

TechUp has received $25,000 from Life Sciences Care Philadelphia, as well as a total of $25,000 from individual donors. If you would like to support TechUp and help ACHIEVEability grow the program, please contact Moira Rooney at mrooney@achieveability.org.