Program sponsored by

UpSkill- Learning Career Development, Business AUTOMATION, AI (CHATGPT) AND Power APPs

Workforce Experience Program

learn Skills for ENTRY-LEVEL jobs that lead to Tech Careers

REGISTRATION FOR THE SPRING 2024 COHORT IS Closed

Workforce Training - 4 weeks: TBD.

Workforce Experience - 4 weeks: TBD.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

This Scholarship program is for New York State residents who are unemployed or underemployed (earning less than 45,000 annually).  This program is designed to build skills for entrance into career paths in the tech field.

This program is also offered at $6,495 per student for residents outside these geographies. To register as a non-scholarship student, select the tuition option in the application process.

Dates for the next Spring 2024 Cohort will be announced soon.

if you submit an application, we will reach out to you once we have the dates confirmed

LEARN IN-DEMAND TECH SKILLS

WORKFORCE TRAINING - 4 Weeks

Learn in-demand tech skills that employers are looking for. All of which are transferrable skills to other industry platforms. Participants will also gain soft skills by learning about psychological safety, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Introduction to:

• Microsoft PowerApps

• Microsoft Office 365

• ChatGPT

• Collaboration using Microsoft Teams

• Business Communication skills

• LinkedIn Profiles with LinkedIn Learning

• Resume Preparation

• and more!

build on-the-job experience

WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE - 4 Weeks

After the 4-week workforce training, participants are assigned to a workforce experience partner organization. The 4-week workforce experience builds upon the foundational skills taught in the program, by providing participants the opportunity to apply these new skills in a professional environment. For many, the career paths in IT occupations do not require a college degree but do require skills training. If you look at the career path of today's technology leaders, they began with entry level careers in tech and expanded their knowledge through certification programs designed by industry to meet the needs of employers within those tech occupations. Once you are trained in how to learn and develop the foundational skills to work within the IT career occupations, you can expand on that knowledge, increase your salary and apply for positions that move you from middle to high-skilled occupations.

WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE partner registration:

Opportunity for nonprofits and local businesses to benefit as a 4-week workforce experience host. Support participants in applying their new skills in a real-world workforce experience environment. To learn more about becoming a workforce experience partner host, register below. Upon registration, you will receive information regarding our upcoming workforce partner information sessions. (Session is delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams).

Thank you to all of our community and workforce experience partners!

our mission and goals

We Connect The Dots’ mission is to deliver programs that engage students in positive brain-friendly ways and address the skills gap in today’s workforce. Our design process integrates industry experts in the field, and our delivery team to develop programs that bring 21st century workforce skills and neuroscience research together. Each program is designed with a learning goal in mind that introduces participants to industry concepts, teaches the value of lifelong learning, supports a path that can lead to additional knowledge or experience, and above all engages to create an interest where there may have not existed before.

This collaborative approach allows us to see the learning experience from multiple perspectives and ensures we are teaching concepts that can be expanded into an interest to go deeper where there is a desire. We build foundational skills that can be leveraged in their future learning experiences and in their careers no matter what path they choose to take. This spring participants will take part in a 4-week immersive learning experience, followed by a 4-week workforce experience, where participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their new skills working in an entry-level technology administrative role for local businesses and nonprofits. The program is about getting participants out of their comfort zones to learn 21st-century workforce skills. This program takes a holistic approach, teaching both soft skills and technical skills to build capacity in solving complex problems, cross-collaborating with team members, synthesizing information, and learning about the many career opportunities in tech.

meet our speakers

FAQ

Q: Are participants required to have prior experience or skills to participate in the program?

A: No prior experience is required for this program. Having a growth mindset and a desire to learn are qualities we look for in selecting participants.

Q: How are applicants selected?

A: All applicants must complete a virtual interview via Microsoft Teams and scholarship eligibility must be verified. Selection is based on applicants' interview outcomes demonstrating the need, desire to participate, and commitment to complete the program. Once all applicant seats are filled, registration will be closed.

Q: When does the program begin?

A: The start date is currently set for TBD. (Program dates are subject to change based on enrollment)

Q: How long is the program?

A: Eight weeks, beginning TBD through TBD.

Q: Is this program a paid internship?

A: This program is not a paid internship. However, we do include 3 paid stipends based on participant outcomes. Upon completing the 4-week training session, participants will receive a $400 stipend. Upon successful completion of the 4-week workforce experience session, participants will receive another $400 stipend. Participants will receive a final $400 stipend upon successfully completing their Capstone project and presenting it during the final graduation event. For a total of $1,200 stipend. All stipends are subject to acceptable attendance and are outlined in the program contract that each participant must sign once accepted into the program.

Q: Do participants need any equipment to participate?

A: A laptop is required as well as internet access, we can provide laptops to participants to use for the entire program with a signed laptop loaner agreement and credit card.

Q: If I have a laptop, can I use my own?

A: If your laptop meets the program requirements, participants may opt to use their laptop. All laptops must have a functioning camera to participate in the online classroom sessions.

Q: How many students will be selected?

A: Approximately 25 students will be selected to participate in the program across the community locations.

Q: Where is the program taking place?

A: The program will take place virtually using the Microsoft Teams online collaboration tool.

Q: What does the daily schedule entail?

A: Participants must arrive in the online classroom by 8:45 am EST; the day will conclude at 4 pm with an hour lunch break for six hours of learning each day.