According to a news release, the online training will soon be available through Mercy College's CERTIFi program, which offers IT certification courses for adults across skill levels in order to help employers fill vacant tech positions in increasingly digitized industries. It said the 12-week boot camp aims to prepare students for tech fields through hands-on assignments and real-world projects, adding that no prerequisites are required for enrollment.
"Mercy is excited to formalize our relationship with Upright Education, an industry leader, in creating short-term certificate programs that help learners improve upon their career success," said Brian Amkraut, vice president and general manager for the Division of Workforce Development and Community Outreach at Mercy College, in a public statement. "The programs we have developed will help meet the growing demand for skilled workers in the New York area by offering opportunities for individuals looking to change careers or looking to acquire skills to move up the ladder in their current industry."
According to 2021 data from the nonprofit Tech:NYC cited in the announcement, the demand for skilled tech workers in New York City — where two of Mercy's three campuses are based — has been growing, with 85 percent of workplaces reporting plans to increase tech hiring and 87 percent expecting to hire local IT talent.
The launch of Mercy's program comes as other institutions establish their own similar tech workforce training courses to meet a growing demand across the country for IT professionals, which theBureau of Labor Statisticsexpects to increase by more than 30 percent by the end of the decade. It also comes after the establishment of other Upright-sponsored IT training programs this year at Columbia State University and Gordon State College, also focusing on software development and UX/UI design.
"Upright's partnership with CERTIFi by Mercy College reflects the continued effort to expand access to education programs that lead to job outcomes," said Benny Boas, Upright's chief executive officer, in a public statement. "There are plenty of options available for New Yorkers to get tech training, but nearly none are focused on credentialing diverse populations and making an impact in local communities. CERTIFi by Mercy College is a concentrated effort to provide adults from all walks of life an opportunity to participate in the new skilled-labor economy."
According to the news release, classes will be held synchronously via Skype or Zoom. For more information about CERTIFi by Mercy College and to apply for the training program, visit bootcamp.certifi.mercy.edu.
