UCA to offer IT apprenticeship
by August 14, 2017 5:27 pm 343 views
The University of Central Arkansas in Conway is the setting for the state’s first information technology registered apprenticeship program, the university announced Monday (Aug. 14).
UCA’s Division of Outreach and Community Engagement, the Arkansas Coding Academy, the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services and U.S. Department of Labor partnered on the effort, which offers an opportunity for a job at the Conway-based app development firm Metova at the end of a 12-week, paid training session at Arkansas Coding Academy, according to a UCA press release. Students who complete the program also will receive a certificate of completion as a journeyman from the U.S. labor department.
“This is a valuable partnership between higher education, state and federal government and private business,” UCA President Houston Davis said in the release. “The purpose of the program is to expand the skilled workforce in application development and other information technology-related fields in Arkansas.”
Metova was recognized for its role in contributing to the establishment of Arkansas Coding Academy in 2016 by receiving the inaugural Tom Courtway Outreach and Community Engagement Award, which recognizes an individual, or organization whose contribution to the division’s efforts has led to transformational community impact and/or participation through innovative programs and services, according to UCA.
GB Cazes, president of products and services for Metova, said in the release: “Metova believes people are its greatest asset. We are excited to partner with the Arkansas Coding Academy to find passionate individuals and offer world class training so that they can achieve their dreams as we grow the Metova family. It’s a win-win.”
The Department of Workforce Services and labor department have supported the Arkansas Coding Academy’s efforts since its inception by making funds available so more dislocated and unemployed workers can afford the training, according to UCA.
“UCA’s role is to recruit, assess, monitor and facilitate the training while working cooperatively with local businesses to provide the necessary skilled labor they need,” Mary Dunlap, Arkansas Coding Academy director, said, according to the release. “This apprenticeship model is much more sustainable because both the employer and student commit to working with each other for more than a year, which is not typical in most training programs.”
The apprenticeship program is scheduled to begin with a new class of developers in January. More information is available at arkansascodingacademy.com or by contacting Dunlap at 501-450-5276 or [email protected].