Tech Impact Brings ITWorks Program to Nashville, Expanding IT Career Opportunities For Young Adults
NASVHILLE– September 5, 2024 – Tech Impact, a 501(c)(3) that leverages technology to advance social impact and a leader in workforce training, announces the expansion of its ITWorks program to its new home in Nashville, T.N. Supported by local businesses, foundations, and community groups, ITWorks Nashville will address the city's growing need for diverse tech talent by providing free, 16-week IT training and certification to young adults. The program will be provided at the Greater Nashville Tech Council’s offices at Tech Hill Commons and will welcome students starting early 2025.
ITWorks helps prepare young adults for entry-level IT careers without the need for a degree through its 16-week program provided at no cost to students. As a Cisco-certified training partner and through the generous support of regional foundations, companies, and government programs, Tech Impact has graduated almost 1,000 students from its ITWorks program in its current three cities, Philadelphia, PA, Las Vegas, NV, and Wilmington, DE.
“We are thrilled to be setting down roots in Nashville and connecting to the community’s already bustling and thriving tech workforce. Our mission is twofold: to bolster and diversify Nashville’s talent pipeline by filling open IT positions with motivated, skilled individuals, and to create economic mobility for those who might not have the resources to pursue these dreams on their own,” says Patrick Callihan, Tech Impact’s Chief Executive Officer.
Extensive market research identified Nashville as a prime location for ITWorks due to the city’s strong corporate presence in healthcare, automotive, tech and finance sectors, the number of its Fortune 500 firms and a noticeable gap in specialized IT training. With 60% of the population lacking a college degree, and 15% of young adults ages 16-24 neither in school or nor employed, the demand for programs like ITWorks is clear.
“Tech jobs in Middle Tennessee pay almost double the median wage. That is a life changing opportunity and can truly have an impact on a local family,” explained Elise Cambournac, President and CEO of the Greater Nashville Technology Council. “Tech Impact’s ITWorks program represents an amazing value for young adults and career changers to learn the new skill sets for an in-demand IT job and to help our region’s businesses grow with more diverse and representative pool of tech talent.”
Pending authorization from the Tennessee higher education commission, Tech Impact will begin staffing their local operations in October with the first ITWorks Nashville cohort kicking off in February 2025. The program includes 11 weeks of intensive training in PC hardware, IT networking and troubleshooting, and security, preparing students for the Cisco IT Essentials and the CompTIA A+ certifications. Following training, students gain real-life, hands-on experience during a five-week paid internship at a local corporation or nonprofit and then receive job placement support after the program’s graduation.
ITWorks helps prepare young adults for entry-level IT careers without the need for a degree through a 16-week program provided at no cost to students. As a Cisco-certified training partner and through the generous support of regional foundations, companies, and government programs, Tech Impact has graduated nearly 1,000 students across its other cohorts in Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and Wilmington, DE.
For local business, foundations, or individuals interested in supporting or participating in ITWorks Nashville, visit www.itworks.org to learn more.
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