New Nonprofit IT Training Program Launching in Milwaukee

Aug. 14, 2015 – Milwaukee, WI – Ascender Academy is launching a nonprofit training program in Milwaukee, WI in fall of 2015. The program will employ a rapid training model to teach students software development skills, then assist with job placement in the Milwaukee area.

The mission of Ascender Academy is to provide valuable training skills to area residents who may not otherwise have access to advanced job training, including at-risk youth, unemployed or underemployed individuals, ex-offenders, and other underserved members of the Greater Milwaukee community. The IT industry is continuously expanding, and faces a shortage of qualified workers, making it an excellent field in which to begin a career today.

Ascender Academy is different from other technical training programs and “coding bootcamps” in a few ways:

• Tuition will be free for qualified individuals.
• Training programs will have flexible scheduling, allowing students to maintain employment if needed.
• Our program is shorter than a technical school. The full program lasts under 10 months, and consists of an entry-level and advanced course to prepare students for a job in a technical field.
• We partner with local corporations to assist with job placement.
• In addition to our software development curriculum, we teach corporate and life skills to help our graduates succeed beyond the classroom.

Ascender Academy has already partnered with several local and national organizations, and looks forward to additional partnerships to benefit our mission. These early partnerships include local nonprofit The Center for Self-Sufficiency, as well as Milwaukee-based software company Centare. In addition, we are working with a San Francisco-based technology school that boasts a 99% job placement rate for curriculum and training support.

Ascender Academy was founded by Brian McKee, a Milwaukee-area pastor and IT professional, who saw a unique opportunity to serve the Milwaukee community. “Milwaukee faces significant challenges with poverty, race issues and education,” McKee said. “You might think that part of the problem was a lack of quality jobs in the area, but that actually isn’t the problem. In reality, there are lots of great IT and tech jobs available, but a lack of qualified individuals. With Ascender, we wanted to put those job opportunities within reach for area residents.”

About Ascender Academy

Ascender Academy helps train underserved Milwaukee area residents with software development skills and helps them to find jobs. Our technology training program uses a rapid training model to provide students with the skills needed to gain employment in today’s evolving IT industry. In addition to technical training, soft skill and life skill curriculum is taught to help individuals ascend to new levels of success in the workplace and in their personal lives. To learn more about becoming a student or getting involved as a volunteer, donor or partner, visit www.ascenderacademy.com.

Press contact:

Alicia Olsen
262-391-4767
a.olsen@ascenderacademy.com

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