NPower: Tech Training and Job Placement for Prosperous Futures

NPower is on a mission to increase diversity in the tech industry and create a pipeline of highly skilled graduates to fill in-demand roles through its unique skills training programs. 

10 K

students served

81 %

graduation rate

336 %

average salary increase

A Win-Win for Job Seekers and Employers in Tech

Millions of ambitious young adults are eager to launch careers in the technology industry, and there is a rapidly growing demand for tech talent in several high-wage career paths. NPower is working to meet both of these needs by providing low-income and underemployed young adults with tech training and job placement support to unlock new career opportunities.

For more than a decade, the national nonprofit has been helping to improve income mobility for individuals from under-resourced communities and advance equity in the tech industry by creating a pipeline of highly skilled and vetted graduates to fill in-demand roles.

Bridging the Tech Skills and Diversity Gaps

Businesses are facing a significant shortage of skilled talent to fill tech roles, and a Microsoft Data Science analysis found the US will likely add another 13 million tech-oriented jobs by 2025. Although many tech career paths offer high wages and plenty of opportunities for advancement, it can be challenging to access the necessary education and certifications required for employment. As a result of systemic inequities, people from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds are underrepresented in the tech industry.

NPower provides young adults from under-resourced communities who are interested in the sector with access to the skills training and industry-recognized certifications they need to land those high-paying, in-demand jobs. Its unique, five-month training model includes a combination of instructor-led classroom learning, hands-on activities, professional skills development, and access to a dedicated mentor. Toward the end of their program, students are assisted with placement into a tech-based internship, apprenticeship, or full-time job.

Through its programs, NPower is building a skilled talent pool for in-demand tech roles and helping students launch lucrative careers in fields like fintech, aerospace, defense, advanced technology manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and cybersecurity. Now, NPower is working to expand its impact by focusing on high-need locations.

Taking a Place-Based Approach

Since 2010, the nonprofit has trained more than 10,000 tech professionals, and its impact continues to grow with the launch of new localized programs in Dayton, Ohio, and Sacramento, CA — two cities with an especially high demand for skilled technology workers.

To best support those markets, the nonprofit built collaborative partnerships with employers in both cities. By working directly with local organizations, NPower can ensure its curriculum is responsive to the sector’s evolving needs, gather feedback to identify students’ areas of opportunity, and provide students with the relevant real-world experience they need to feel prepared for future roles.

NPower’s place-based model has allowed the nonprofit to seamlessly integrate into local communities, helping build trust with organizations, support job placement efforts, and provide students with a smooth transition to steady employment. This approach has helped students increase their salaries by an average of 336% after finishing the program.

Expanding its Community-Focused Impact

Looking ahead, NPower is working to expand its community-focused efforts to several other cities with a high demand for tech talent. The nonprofit is also focused on growing its community partnerships and deepening its network of experienced professionals and subject matter experts to continue evolving program offerings. By expanding into new cities and exploring more digital and flexible options to meet a range of learner needs, NPower is on a path to serving more than 70,000 individuals by the end of 2030.

Meet Jordan

After cleaning office suites for three years, Jordan Reiss realized that if he wanted to land his dream role, he needed more technical experience. He enrolled in the NPower Tech Fundamentals program and graduated with the IT certifications necessary to propel his career. Today, Jordan is a desktop support technician at the Dayton-based company where he previously worked as a custodian.

“I know the saying goes, ‘If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.’ It’s not always the case,” Jordan says. “All these doorways that were previously closed are now open.”