Job Training, Placement Focus of Second Session of “IT On Demand”

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Aug. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Providence, R.I. – July 18, 2014 – Tech Collective (http://www.tech-collective.org/), Rhode Island’s IT and Bioscience industry association, recently  began the second session of its “IT On Demand” training program. Designed and delivered with industry involvement, IT On Demand provides unemployed IT practitioners with technical, business, and experiential training.  In its 2013 pilot run, 15 previously unemployed IT professionals completed the IT On Demand program and became employed in IT roles across industries.

With 17 participants, the 2014 IT On Demand session kicked off on July 7 and will run through October 10. Employer participation is currently being called for. This IT On Demand session is supported by Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston (https://www.providenceri.com/wspc) and the Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island (http://www.griworkforce.com/) with funds provided by a grant from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (http://www.dlt.ri.gov/) and the US Department of Labor (http://www.dol.gov/).

2014 Program Overview:
IT On Demand is geared at workers with prior IT knowledge and experience. The 14-week program aims to advance participants’ technical and business skill set and prepare them to re-enter the workforce at the mid-level. IT On Demand training will include:

·        C# Programming – with Visual Studio 2010 and an introduction to Object Oriented Programming. Training provided by New Horizons (http://www.nhrhodeisland.com/localweb/default.aspx?groupi...) (certificate of completion will be provided).

·        Business Management Certificate with Agile Project Management – Leadership, Customer Service, Communication Skills, Critical Thinking, and Agile Project Management. Training provided by the Bryant University Executive Development Center (http://edc.bryant.edu/) (certificate of completion will be provided; 6.0 CEU’s).

·        Industry and Job Readiness – RI IT Industry overview and job search, resume writing, and interviewing techniques provided by Tech Collective.

·        Experiential Learning – an 8 week learning opportunity hosted by a RI IT employer. Each participant will have previous IT experience in various capacities and each will have completed the technical and business components of the program. Employers will interview and select candidates. It is anticipated the participant will be hired by the company after successful completion of this component.

Employer Participation:
Tech Collective is currently calling for employer involvement. Providing insights and guidance, employers can be part of one or several components of the program, including: providing company tours or class presentations; attending a mid-session networking event; and/or hosting an IT On Demand participant for an 8-week experiential learning opportunity.

"We’re excited to partner with Tech Collective and participate in its IT On Demand program,” said Stephanie Fournier, Corporate Recruiter/Human Resources for Precision Design Studios (http://www.precisiondesignstudios.com/). “Developers are in such high demand right now, and this program gives candidates the opportunity to fill their skill gaps so they can feel confident when re-entering the workforce. Responsible for human resources at PDS, I love finding candidates who can come in and hit the ground running with minimal training!"

In 2013, more than 10 companies participated in the program. This year companies currently involved include: Atrion Networking Corporation (http://www.atrion.net/), INNOVEX (http://www.innovex.co/), InterSystems (http://www.intersystems.com/), OSHEAN (http://www.oshean.org/), Precision Design Studios (http://www.precisiondesignstudios.com/), and the Rhode Island Foundation (http://www.rifoundation.org/).

“Last year’s IT On Demand program success was more than we could have anticipated,” said Kathie Shields, executive director for Tech Collective. “The participants did outstandingly well and in more than one instance, employers were working hard to attract the participants to their companies. These 15 new employees are now adding to the growth, capacity, and innovation of Rhode Island companies and industry. We are proud of that and look forward to celebrating the same connection and success with our 2014 session.”

Additional Information:
Company participation inquiries should be made to Chris Selwyn,Industry Career Advisor for Tech Collective at (401) 521-7805 x108 / cselwyn@tech-collective.org. Information can also be found on Tech Collective’s IT On Demand (http://www.tech-collective.org/index.php?option=com_news_items&task=viewNews&pk_news_itemsID=2417#overview) webpage or by visiting www.tech-collective.org.

About Tech Collective:
Tech Collective is Rhode Island’s Information Technology and Bioscience Industry Association. Uniting industry, government and academic stakeholders, our mission is to inspire, engage, educate and employ a high-skill, high-wage Knowledge Economy in Rhode Island. Since its transition from the Rhode Island Technology Council (RITEC) in 2004, Tech Collective has received more than $8M in federal, state and private grant funding to foster industry collaboration, awareness and development through events and initiatives including: the Tech10 awards, the Rhode Island Bioscience Awards, GRRL Tech, Women in Technology, Bio-Ed, and STEM-based education and training programs for K-16 students as well as incumbent and transitioning workers. Get connected to Tech Collective at www.tech-collective.org, on LinkedIn (Tech-Collective) (https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-collective), on Twitter (@Tech_Collective) (http://www.twitter.com/Tech_Collective), and on Facebook (TechCollectiveRI) (http://www.facebook.com/TechCollectiveRI).