Full scholarships to cybersecurity and data
analytics boot camps will provide high-quality tech training for
adult learners
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. and LANHAM, Md., Aug. 15,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- edX, a leading global online
learning platform from 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), together with Drake
State Technical and Community College, a historically black
community college, and Jobs for the Future (JFF), today announced
the launch of a new Access Partnership to provide adult learners in
the Huntsville, Alabama area with
access to no cost, fully online boot camp programs in cybersecurity
and data analytics. Funded by Truist Foundation, the scholarships
are designed to increase technical talent in the Huntsville region, specifically focusing on
helping women, BIPOC, and lower-income professionals build stronger
economic futures.
edX Access Partnerships is an award-winning social impact
program that 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. The program is underpinned by edX's
industry-leading boot camp curricula in key technology fields. With
a focus on innovation and grassroots relationship building, these
public-private partnerships have upskilled more than 3,000 learners
in communities in the U.S. and U.K. at little to no cost to
learners.
The program will initially be offered to 60 learners in the
Huntsville area beginning in
November, with 30 seats open in the cybersecurity boot camp and 30
in the data analytics boot camp. Learners who successfully 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.
"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."
edX has convened over 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."
Huntsville is one of the
fastest-growing technology sectors in the U.S. – it's home to
NASA's Marshall Space Center, Boeing, Science Applications
International Corporation, and many small federal tech companies.
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."
Access Partnerships are part of edX for Impact – a collective
effort to help marginalized learners get the education they need in
order to develop the skills to pursue rewarding careers. edX has
active Access Partnerships with 19 academic institutions serving
learners in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada, North
Carolina, Oklahoma,
Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin in the U.S.; Birmingham in the U.K.; and New Brunswick in Canada. The partnerships are supported by more
than 90 agencies and community partners, each carefully chosen to
support their region's unique learner populations.
As one of the world's largest developers of technology talent,
edX has supported more than 75,000 boot camp graduates globally
with the skills, knowledge, and career resources to achieve their
goals. According to a 2U-Gallup survey, boot camp graduates
surveyed reported being nearly four times happier with their jobs
after graduation from the boot camp, and over 86% reported
achieving a positive outcome.
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 accesspartnership@2u.com.
About edX
edX is the global online learning platform
that fuels the world's ambition. edX was developed in 2012 by
Harvard and MIT to make the world's best education available to
everyone. Today, as a part of 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), edX
connects over 78 million people with online learning to meet every
professional moment. Together with top-ranked universities and
organizations at the forefront of their fields, edX offers
thousands of job-relevant programs across nearly every career
discipline, from artificial intelligence and robotics to
sustainability and public health. Find online courses,
certificates, boot camps, and degrees that fuel your ambition
at edx.org.
About Drake State Technical and Community
College
Established in 1961, Drake State Community and
Technical College is a historically black community college in
Huntsville, Alabama, home to the
fast-growing, highly technical aerospace and defense industry,
including the NASA Marshall Flight Center, US Army Redstone
Arsenal, and Cummings Research Parks. Drake State offers flexible,
affordable university-transfer 2-year and technical degrees,
certificates, adult and continuing education, and customized
technical skills training for Huntsville/Madison
County employers. Visit www.drakestate.edu for more
information.
About United Way of Madison
County
United Way of Madison County, Alabama LIVES UNITED for
Education, Financial Stability, and Health in our communities.
Through a comprehensive, data-based needs assessment conducted
every 3 years, UWMC identifies the greatest needs of the community.
It then recruits mission-specific volunteers, involves trustworthy
partner agencies, leverages corporate resources, creates new
programs, and raises funds all for the sake of solving real
problems and making a UNITED lasting impact.
www.uwmadisoncounty.org.
About Jobs for the Future
Jobs for the Future (JFF)
drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems
to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. www.jff.org.
About Truist Foundation
Truist Foundation is
committed to Truist Financial Corporation's purpose to inspire
and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, Truist
Foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations
to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities
for a better quality of life. Truist Foundation's grants and
activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility
and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at
truist.com/foundation.
Media Contacts
media@2u.com
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SOURCE 2U, Inc.