ST. LOUIS – LaunchCode, a national nonprofit focused on creating pathways to careers in technology, announced today they will forgo funding and transition out of two northwest markets, refocusing on other projects and initiatives. LaunchCode has operated offices and provided free services in Seattle, WA and Portland, OR since early 2017.

LaunchCode is celebrating its most successful quarter in its history and is continuing to grow, both in the United States and internationally. “In the first quarter of 2018, LaunchCode placed a record number of talented individuals into upwardly mobile tech careers,” Jeff Mazur, Executive Director of LaunchCode, reports. “We also surpassed our budgeted expectations for revenue generated from those job placements, leaving the organization in as strong a financial position as it has ever been.”

LaunchCode was founded to address the tech talent gap currently affecting many cities across the United States. The LaunchCode apprenticeship model encourages companies to rethink outdated hiring practices to value skill and aptitude of individuals entering the field over credentials. LaunchCode found this gap to be significantly less severe in Seattle and Portland, as there is ample entry-level talent in those markets.

“LaunchCode’s model is designed to help employers build a pipeline of junior tech talent they cannot secure elsewhere. But in places like Seattle and Portland, where the market already generates lots of fresh tech talent on its own, we are not able to move the needle in the same way,” said Mazur.

Despite the challenges of the market, more than 265 learners received free, job-focused coding skills and more than 60 people started careers in technology after getting assistance from LaunchCode in Seattle and Portland.

Individuals currently participating in LaunchCode programs in Seattle and Portland will continue to receive services through June. Current students will be directed to other resources and programming in the area. LaunchCoders currently in apprenticeships will continue to work in that opportunity without disruption. All individuals will continue to have access to LaunchCode’s free online resources.

About LaunchCode
Founded by Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Square, LaunchCode creates pathways to economic opportunity through education, apprenticeships and job placement by matching driven, qualified learners with employers experiencing a shortage of diverse tech talent. To learn more, visit www.launchcode.org.

TAMPA BAY, Fl. – LaunchCode, a national nonprofit offering free coding classes and job placement to help aspiring technologists find their dream careers, will host LC101 Graduation on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Nielsen, 501 Brooker Creek Blvd., Oldsmar. Graduates and their families, along with mentors, instructors and supporters of the organization will be in attendance.

LC101 is LaunchCode’s 20-week introduction to computer programming course, during which, students learn skills that are in high demand within the Tampa Bay tech community. LC101 provides a supportive classroom environment with in-person mentoring from instructors, teaching fellows and local developers.

LaunchCode’s innovative apprenticeship program works to add diverse, fresh tech talent to the Tampa Bay tech ecosystem. Two aspiring technologists have already been placed in apprenticeship programs with Xcira, both of whom do not possess a 4-year college degree.

Reporters and photographers are invited to attend graduation. Sound will be available.

About LaunchCode
Founded by Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Square, LaunchCode creates pathways to economic opportunity through education, apprenticeships and job placement by matching driven, qualified learners with employers experiencing a shortage of diverse tech talent. To learn more, visit www.launchcode.org.

ST. LOUIS - LaunchCode, a national nonprofit focused on creating pathways to careers in technology, has announced the Discovery program, made possible by a partnership with Facebook’s Community Boost initiative. Discovery is an innovative digital literacy program that will be available for free on St. Louis Public Library computers beginning Monday, March 26, 2018.

The Discovery curriculum was developed by LaunchCode to introduce users to computer programming and help them build the fundamental skills necessary to pursue a career in the tech industry. The online course is self-paced and supported by participant meetups, to be held weekly at select St. Louis Public Library locations and led by mentors. With Discovery, LaunchCode aims to break down barriers to careers in technology for St. Louisans by bringing education pathways directly to their communities.

Individuals who successfully complete the Discovery curriculum by June 15, 2018 will receive priority application consideration to LC101, LaunchCode’s free 20-week course designed to prepare participants to become web developers.

“Discovery was created as a way for LaunchCode to reach even more individuals experiencing roadblocks in their path to a sustainable tech job,” said LaunchCode Executive Director Jeff Mazur. “Learning to code is becoming a critical 21st century skill and the opportunity to gain these skills hasn’t always been broadly available. Discovery is here to challenge that.”

“The St. Louis Public Library is used by thousands of St. Louisans every day working to overcome the digital divide and be part of the tech world growing around them. Working with LaunchCode gives the Library a real, practical pathway to tech learning and jobs to offer to our patrons who have the interest and are willing to put in the effort. That is a huge opportunity, and we believe that working together we can benefit individuals, businesses, and St. Louis,” said Waller McGuire, St. Louis Public Library Executive Director.

“Through their new Discovery program, LaunchCode is adding to their impact in St. Louis by exposing people to digital skills training for the next step in their career path,” said Parisa Sabeti Zagat, Head of US Digitals Skills Programs for Facebook. “We’re delighted to partner with them on this program through Facebook Community Boost, and with their help, and the help of partners like them, hope to have a positive, transformative and long-term impact on people’s lives.”

In November 2017, Facebook announced Community Boost, a new program to help small businesses grow and to equip more people with the digital skills they need to compete in the new economy. Facebook announced St. Louis as the first of 30 cities they visit during the program.

To learn more about the Discovery program, visit www.launchcode.org/discovery.

About LaunchCode
Founded by Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Square, LaunchCode creates pathways to economic opportunity through free education, apprenticeships and job placement by matching driven, qualified learners with employers experiencing a shortage of diverse tech talent. To learn more, visit www.launchcode.org.

About St. Louis Public Library
St. Louis Public Library has 16 locations across the city and sees more than 2.3 million visitors each year. The Library has more than 4 million books and items in its collection, over 83,000 Library cardholders and provides high-speed wireless internet access to nearly 2 million people each year. SLPL’s extensive digital resources include computer access, Wi-Fi hotspots, computer classes, online learning resources and access to the Creative Experience at Central Library, a digital makerspace lab. SLPL provides learning resources and information services that support and improve individuals, family and community life. For more information about St. Louis Public Library and its services, visit www.slpl.org.

About Facebook
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TAMPA BAY, Fl. – LaunchCode, a nonprofit providing free tech education and job placement in Tampa Bay, is hosting a networking open house in collaboration with the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC) to connect aspiring technologists with leaders in the industry. The event will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the ECC located at 2101 E. Palm Ave.

The goal of the event is to facilitate an open discussion on technology industry trends, entrepreneurship and the importance of a sustainable tech talent pipeline in Florida. Many of those attending are job-seekers aiming to learn more about the industry and current economic climate in Tampa Bay.

During the event, industry leaders from area companies will participate in a panel discussion and attendees will be invited to engage in a question-answer segment. Following the panel, attendees will be invited to network with industry leaders.

To learn more about LaunchCode, visit www.launchcode.org.

Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend this event.
Sound will be available with representatives from LaunchCode, ECC & participating companies.

St. Louis, Mo. – LaunchCode, a St. Louis-based nonprofit providing technology education to help aspiring technologists find their dream careers, is now accepting applications to two free programs: LC101 and CoderGirl.

• .LC101 is LaunchCode’s introduction to computer programming course – an intensive, 20-week program designed to train students with skills they need to seek an apprenticeship and ultimately a career in technology. The free course begins January 22, and applications close December 29.
• CoderGirl is a LaunchCode education program designed to engage and educate women in the technology community in St. Louis. CoderGirl is a year-long tech training program consisting of two 6-month cycles: a learning cycle and a project cycle. The free course begins January 17, and applications close December 22.

During each course, LaunchCoders are led by skilled educators with mentoring from experienced developers. After honing their technical skills, LaunchCode matches learners with one of our 500 employer partners for a paid apprenticeship. More than four out of five apprentices are converted to full-time hires. LaunchCode’s model promotes equity by removing barriers and opening doors to opportunities in technology.

For more information on LaunchCode programs, visit LaunchCode.org.