The Last Word: NPower CEO on Offering Path2TECH Software Developer Training for Dallas Women from Under-Resourced Communities

“While AI may replace many administrative and clerical roles…it will never be a substitute for human talent and ingenuity.”

Bertina Ceccarelli
CEO
NPower
.…on her nonprofit’s offering Path2TECH software developer training for women working in tech-adjacent jobs in Dallas and other cities.

The New York-based nonprofit NPower has launched Path2TECH, which it calls “the first data-driven tech training course designed to help 2.7M women from under-resourced communities across the U.S. transfer existing skills from current tech-enabled jobs into pure tech positions.”

Path2TECH also integrates AI skills into a brand new NPower curriculum via virtual, asynchronous learning. Classes in the 20-week full stack software developer course began last month in Dallas, as well as in New York City and Washington D.C. 

The training is focused on four areas, per NPower:

  • Front-End Web and Application Fundamentals and Software Development concepts: The students will be introduced to web & app development, and get comfortable practicing and testing with software development tools like GitHub, Copilot ChatGPT, HTML, CSS, Javascript ES6, React, among others.
  • Back-End Web and Application Fundamentals, Testing, and Quality Assurance: The students will put their learnings to practice and handle hands-on program logic and use the latest softwares to address real-world business solutions. In this focus, they’ll also develop a project portfolio to fuel their opportunities for freelance employment, entrepreneurship or full-time placement.
  • Software Development Fundamentals Using Java: The students will finalize the course expanding their knowledge about software development learning about logic and structure, control flow mechanisms and more.
  • Introduction to Generative AI: ChatGPT and CoPilot AI integration will be used in both front and back-end curricula.
 

“The dynamics of the tech industry, especially now with AI, require tech training organizations to step up and evolve their offerings to stay relevant to labor market needs,” CEO Ceccarelli said in a statement. “While AI may replace many administrative and clerical roles and reshape entry level positions in certain industries, it will never be a substitute for human talent and ingenuity. Rather, AI can help individuals, who have the proper tech skills, realize their greatest potential.”

The Path2TECH program “is open to women and those who identify as women who are 21 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent and who are legally authorized to work in the US. Applicants must also have one to three-plus years of professional work experience,” the nonprofit said.

Social support services, including trauma-informed support that addresses students’ academic, social, and emotional needs, are also being expanded, NPower said.

“The future of tech is now, and AI is undoubtedly a large part of the new landscape,” said Robert Vaughn, Chief Innovation Officer and Head of the National Instructors Institute at NPower. “The skills needed to join the dynamic tech sector are ever-changing and our new curriculum reflects this. We’re looking forward to bringing Path2Tech and other resources, balanced with curated social support services, to our students this spring.”

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