Charlotte group has free course for LGBTQ+ interested in tech. Sign-up ends soon.
Time is running out to apply for a free course offered to people in the LGBTQ+ community interested in learning valuable skills needed for tech industry jobs.
Per Scholas North Carolina, who specializes in providing free technology courses, received a $250,000 grant from Charlotte for this program and is accepting applications through Monday. The nonprofit is partnering with the Charlotte chapter of Out in Tech, a nonprofit community of LGBTQ+ tech leaders.
“The idea is that we are trying to remove as much of a barrier for entry as possible for people to access those higher wage and growth tech jobs,” Mike Terrell, managing director of Per Scholas North Carolina, said.
Per Scholas launched its technology training program in 2020 and has around 280 graduates so far, Terrell said. The courses generally run 12 to 15 weeks and range from cybersecurity and java development, to IT support and end user desk support.
Terrell said this year’s course is 12 weeks and students attend full time during this period. Each learner accepted in will receive a stipend of $1,000. The course will focus on IT support and provide attendees the opportunity to earn a Google IT support professional certificate, according to Per Scholas’ site.
Terrell said as more tech companies move to Charlotte the nonprofit wants to ensure companies see the diverse workforce the city has to offer.
“Our goal is to make sure everyone has access to those jobs,” he said.
Learners accepted in the program will also receive assistance with job placement through Charlotte-based Zaddy Solutions, an LGBTQ-owned tech recruiting firm.
Zach Anderson, CEO of Zaddy Solutions, said having the ability to come into a safe place where you will be respected for who you are is important. Anderson also serves as Chapter Head of Out in Tech for the Carolinas.
“That breaks down barriers that someone may have to overcome if they went somewhere else,” he said.
The program also helps those looking to make career changes without having to take out student loans for the training and education, he added.
“The more you diversify who is making the technology or technology decisions, the more technology is going to be serving the human condition,” Anderson said.
Alumni of the program also are entering technology roles.
Chris Ham, an Air Force veteran, completed Per Scholas’ summer course in IT Fundamentals. He was recently hired by Wells Fargo as an information security analyst.
“Having a place to flourish and enter the tech field, I think that’s extremley valuable,” he said.
Per Scholas will accept applications for this session until Monday, Nov. 14. Those interested can scroll down to courses offered on Per Scholas North Carolina’s site and apply under the IT Support Charlotte tab. The course is expected to start on Nov. 29.
This story was originally published November 11, 2022 at 11:01 AM.
