AWS | NPower Partnership: Creating Meaningful Change through Volunteerism

Volunteering is at the core ethos of AWS, reflecting their unwavering commitment to be a force of good in the world, making a positive impact globally. Through their collaboration with NPower, AWS actively contributes to communities aligned with their mission values. From fostering an inclusive culture within the tech sector to bridging the digital gap by granting access to technology, they are dedicated to driving meaningful change.

Mentoring has played a key part in NPower’s programming. Melissa Young, a Senior Sales Executive at AWS is one of the AWS volunteers that works with NPower students and alumni. Not only does she spend time mentoring our students, but she also acts as an advocate for their mentoring program, bringing on board 60 AWS volunteers for the Spring 2023 mentoring cycle.

Mantaqaa Khan, Business Analyst, and a 2022 graduate of NPower, maintains a mentoring relationship with Melissa and is grateful for the connection. “Melissa has directed me towards opportunities that are guaranteed to drive my career growth. Her advice has been invaluable when I faced challenges in the workplace. Working with a mentor has been extremely reassuring and helpful to feeling both motivated and confident in my career path.”

As a partner of success within our Advanced Training Cloud Computing program, AWS played a pivotal role in supporting the launch of the program. From hosting informative workshops with guest speakers to offering invaluable insights on curriculum development and sought-after certifications, they ensured that through this program NPower graduates will be equipped with skills to meet the demands of an ever-evolving technology landscape.

Mike DiBlasio, Senior Technical Program Manager at AWS and NPower Regional Advisory Board Member in Baltimore, Maryland is another advocate of NPower’s mission. “The work we can do together is hugely inspiring. When we combine data with strategic thinking we can make meaningful strides in social impact.” Mike has connected over 75 AWS volunteers with opportunities to mentor students and augment NPower’s programs.

Thank you to AWS for your continued collaboration and your commitment to transforming lives together!

Leaders United States

The Obama Foundation Leaders USA program is a six-month, non-residential leadership development program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders across the country.

SIM National and SIM Foundation Partnership

NPower’s work is made possible through aligned partnerships that create impact. 

As a national alliance partner of SIM National and SIM Foundation (Society for Information Management), NPower is able to support the growth and advancement of the students in our programs across the country. The members of the local SIM chapters are engaged with NPower as mentors, volunteers, and supporters who continue to show up for our students. 

SIM has been an active participant in NPower’s Words of Wisdom event series, a space for sharing advice and tips to empower the next generation of tech professionals. During the most recent Words of Wisdom event, 35 SIM National and SIM Chapter members across the U.S. engaged in small group discussions answering questions and prompts ranging from how to make the most of an internship, how to overcome challenges, to what is successful self-promotion. The insights, advice, and encouragement from these sessions are shared with NPower participants to support them in their professional journeys from interns to full-time tech professionals. 

Words of Wisdom: July Session

Swayne James, NPower graduate and Cindy Finkelman, Board President of the SIM New York Metro Chapter​

SIM also shares their well-connected network with NPower graduates providing them direct access to industry experts, technology executives, and thought leaders as they start their tech careers. 

Swayne James, graduate of NPower New York Metro Area Tech Fundamentals and Cybersecurity program is one of the many NPower tech professionals who have leveraged the SIM network. He has been part of several SIM-connected networking events including the 2023 HMG CISO and Innovation Summit where Cindy Finkelman, Board President of the SIM New York Metro Chapter invited Swayne as her guest to share his story of mentorship and connect with senior tech executives.

After completion of NPower’s programs, Swayne showcased his newly-acquired technical and professional skills through a successful 10-week mainframe security internship part of the Global Cloud and Infrastructure (GCIS) team at Broadridge. Although there was a learning curve, Swayne felt the environment and culture fostered learning. By asking the right questions and leaning into his team’s support, Swayne quickly added value and contributed to the team. He credits his dedication to learning and his valuable relationship with the NPower New York – Metro placement team as key factors in his success. The team identified the opportunity and his resumé was perfectly aligned with the position, thanks to his professional development experiences. This intentionality well-prepared him for both technical and behavioral interviews. 

Swayne highly recommends Broadridge as a great place to work for NPower alumni and the GCIS internship as a great first tech role. His journey is a testament to the power of partnership, mentorship, training, and strategic professional connections. Thank you, Swayne, for inspiring others as you advance in your career. 

And a special thank you to our friends at SIM for their continued partnership in transforming lives, families, and communities through tech! 

NPower California Recognized as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor

We are thrilled to announce that NPower California has been accepted as a registered apprenticeship sponsor by the California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS). By becoming a registered apprenticeship sponsor, NPower California may now offer state-recognized apprenticeship programs for in-demand tech roles. Specifically, NPower students that complete 350 hours of NPower training will be able to apply for Information Technology Generalist and Cyber Security Support Technician paid apprenticeship roles.

Across the US, our tech training initiatives and programs, including paid apprenticeships and internships, are supported and recognized by leading individuals and groups from public and private sectors and championed by nonprofit allies and advocates. Together, they understand that offering a variety of strategies to deserving, non-pedigreed individuals from lower income areas, including people of color, is a proven and effective pathway to helping them step into good paying jobs, increase their economic mobility, and build better lives for themselves and their families.

We are honored by this recognition and want to congratulate the NPower leaders and staff throughout California who work tirelessly every day to make a difference in the lives of so many deserving young people.

Regional Roundups — August 2024

It has been a busy season at NPower, view all the exciting engagements and activity happening across the country.

NPower Missouri

NPower Missouri Spring '24 Graduation!

We recently celebrated our Spring 2024 Tech Fundamentals graduates at LaunchCode’s stunning facility. It was a fantastic event, honoring the dedication and hard work of our graduates as they embark on their journeys in the tech industry. Our NPower graduates are equipped with exceptional skills and a passion for technology. If you’re seeking top IT talent, look no further.

NPower Texas

NPower Texas Spring '24 Graduation!

San Antonio

Houston

Dallas

We are thrilled to announce the commencement of our Spring ’24 graduations across Texas. The unity and support from our community have been truly inspiring.

To our phenomenal graduates: Your IT journey is just beginning, and we are eager to see the incredible milestones you will achieve. Your hard work and dedication have paved the way for a bright future!

A heartfelt thank you to our community partners, employment partners, and volunteers. Your support has made all the difference.

NPower New York & New Jersey Metro

Congratulations to the NPower New York and NPower New Jersey Metro Area Spring 2024 graduates who recently celebrated their achievements!

This memorable evening was made possible by the generous support of Bank of America and their incredible team.

We were honored to hear from George Ulerio, Senior Vice President and Head of Executive Technology & Trading Support at Bank of America, who inspired our new tech professionals with his motivating words. Alumni speaker Solveig Nolasco, along with class speakers Luis Segura and Wendy Chiu, also provided encouraging insights as the graduates embark on their tech careers.

A heartfelt thank you to the graduates for placing their trust in NPower to kickstart their tech journeys. We deeply appreciate the families, friends, and supporters who joined us in celebrating this special occasion. Extra thanks to Clare Giffin-Pascoe, Anne Matrone, and Anne Gilroy for their remarkable support, and to the dedicated NPower staff who made the event possible.

Here’s to a future full of success for the Spring 2024 class of tech professionals and change-makers from New York and New Jersey!

NPower Maryland

Congratulations to the NPower Maryland Spring 2024 Graduates!

Your dedication and enthusiasm for technology have culminated in this remarkable milestone. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Commencement Speaker, Dorothea Henderson, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Information Officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Her inspiring words will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact as our graduates embark on their professional journeys. A special shoutout to Alumni Speaker Shaniah Mason and Class Speakers Christian Rondon and Artese Johnson, whose eloquence and passion truly represented their cohort. We also want to express our gratitude to CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield for their generous sponsorship, which made this graduation ceremony possible.

NPower Michigan

Congratulations, Spring 2024 Michigan Graduates! You did it.

What an incredible time was had at their  Spring 2024 graduation ceremony. Friends, family, partners, and supporters cheered on the 40+ tech graduates who proudly walked across the stage with their newly acquired technical and professional skills and industry-recognized credentials. They now have all the tools to embark on their journey to launching fulfilling careers.

A special thank you to keynote speaker, Johnnie Turnage, Co-Founder of Black Tech Saturdays who made the evening one to remember. Alumni speaker, Kelly Bryson II, and class speaker, Jordan Wilkins inspired and uplifted all those in the room.

Thank you to our sponsors Detroit Medical Center, Detroit Medical Center: Sinai-Grace Hospital (Sinai-Grace Hospital), and Children’s Hospital of Michigan for helping us celebrate the graduates and making the ceremony possible. 

NPower North Carolina

NPower NC Spring 2024 Graduation
Wrap-Up

NPower NC recently celebrated the Spring 2024 Tech Fundamentals graduates at North Carolina Central University. A heartfelt thanks goes to NCCU for hosting such a memorable event, which honored the achievements of the graduates, their families, the NPower NC team, and esteemed community and corporate partners.

The team is incredibly proud of the graduates for their perseverance and success. They are equally proud of the NPower NC team, which has doubled in size over the past year, concluding these last 20 weeks with numerous success stories and outstanding talent.

Special thanks to Dr. Johnny Bernard Hill of NCCU and Luisa Reynolds of MetLife for sharing their inspiring stories and words of encouragement. The event also featured incredible testimonies from U.S. Navy veteran Rene Lucha Lemus and Eduardo S. Additionally, NPower NC was honored to have Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams deliver a powerful keynote address.

In the hustle and bustle of big events, it’s easy to overlook the details. Today and always, NPower NC extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who supports the organization and helps drive its mission forward in the Triangle.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support.

NPower California

Congratulations to the #NPowerCalifornia Spring 2024 Tech Fundamentals graduates on their recent graduation!

The ceremony included a special message from NPower graduate Edwin Krishna and active alum Berenice Almanza. A special thank you to our keynote speaker, Tim Hoffman, Cybersecurity Consultant, Oxford Global Resources ISSA Fellow, CISSP. His speech provided valuable insights and reflections. A big thank you to LinkedIn for hosting and helping us celebrate our graduates!

Congratulations to the Class of NPower California ITSS Spring 2024!

We’re thrilled to celebrate our trainees’ successful completion of the IT Support Specialist program. The keynote by Kyle Sherman, Senior Technology Support Analyst at Deloitte, the alumni speech from LaToya Newsome-Clemens, IT Support Specialist at Allied Universal, and the class speaker José Pérez were all deeply inspiring, providing invaluable insights.

NPower Ohio

The celebration continues with NPower Ohio.

Congratulations to the Spring 2024 Cohort and the second class in Dayton. A special thank you to all the phenomenal speakers, Jabari Peoples, Dr. Carmela Shackleford-Daniels, DSW, LISW-S and Brandon Charles McClain, Esq., for inspiring all in attendance with their powerful words making the evening truly unforgettable! And thank you to Cross Street Partners for their generous donation of the incredible space In the Tank Theater that enhanced the celebratory energy. 



NPower Skillbridge

Congratulations to our newest graduates!

We recently celebrated our NPower SkillBridge graduates. Honoring the dedication and hard work of our graduates as they begin their journey transitioning from veterans to cybersecurity experts. Our NPower SkillBridge graduates are equipped with exceptional skills and a passion for technology. If you’re seeking top cybersecurity talent, look no further.

Companies looking for top tech talent ready to showcase their skills, look no further! Sign up here to learn more and a member of our placement team will connect with you. Our newest class of graduates are ready to bring their skills, creativity, and innovation to your company.
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