The Computing Technology Industry Association, a national trade nonprofit dedicated to the information technology industry that’s been known as CompTIA, is teaming up with Dallas-based Girls Embracing Mothers to support local women in moving on from incarceration.

Together, the nonprofits will provide ten Dallas-area mothers with enhanced education and training that will act as the building blocks of being successful at both work and home. The program is geared toward fostering vision and purpose through employability and lifestyle skills—and has the ultimate goal of helping the women secure a well-paying job in technology.

“The stigma associated with past incarceration is something that must be eliminated from our society,” Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, said in a statement. “Anyone looking for a second chance and a fresh start is deserving of our encouragement and support.”

The partnership combines the best of what CompTIA and Girls Embracing Mothers (GEM) do.

CompTIA aims to be a “leading voice” that advocates for global information technology, an estimated $5 trillion ecosystem of some 75 million industry professionals. The nonprofit serves as a hub for education, training, certifications, advocacy, and research, all to advance the tech workforce that powers the world’s economy.

Dallas Innovates readers might recognize the name for its various reports that rank metros for tech occupation availability, doing business, and employment trends. In a new Tech Jobs Report from August, it was revealed that the Dallas metro market recorded the largest month-over-month gain (plus 2,960) in tech jobs postings from June to July.

GEM was founded to “counteract the forces of maternal incarceration.” The Dallas nonprofit handles both sides of the challenge: It works to reduce the trauma of young girls with mothers in prison and also prepare formerly incarcerated women with the tools to thrive post-release.

Its overarching goal is to break the cycle of incarceration of those most marginalized in communities.

“GEM values helping justice-impacted women and girls thrive,” Brittany K. Barnett, GEM’s founder and president, said in a statement. “That’s why everything we do is centered on empowering them to lead successful lives with vision and purpose.”

The customized technical training will be delivered through CompTIA Custom Training. It’s hinged upon CompTIA A+, a professional certification of core technology skills that the organizations says is the industry standard for launching a career in IT.

Most go on to obtain jobs in help desk, service desk, technical support, or related positions.

GEM and CompTIA will also offer instruction in soft skills, financial literacy, and therapeutic support. They hope to ensure that the women graduate with a well-rounded balance professionally, mentally, and socially.

To Barnett, it means enabling them to not just survive. She hopes the partnership will unlock potential, creating career pathways for justice-impacted women to cultivate sustainable futures for themselves and their children.

“These 10 mothers have already taken the most important step toward a brighter future for themselves and their families by committing to this program,” Thibodeaux said in a statement. “CompTIA is humbled and thankful for the opportunity to partner with a great organization like GEM and to work with this impressive group of women.”

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