Workforce Readiness

Drake State Community & Technical College Offers Free Tech Training to Huntsville Learners

• By Kate Lucariello
• 10/23/23

Through a partnership with online learning company edX and Jobs for the Future (JFF), Drake State Community & Technical College in Huntsville, AL, is offering free Access Partnership online boot camps in cybersecurity and data analytics. The scholarships are being funded by Truist Foundation to help train adult technical talent in the Huntsville area, with special focus on women, BIPOC, and lower-income professionals.

The first boot camp cohorts will start Nov. 6, 2023. The 24-week programs will be offered to 60 learners to start, with 30 seats each in the cybersecurity and data analytics boot camps. Those who complete their programs will receive college credit which can be applied toward an associate's degree at Drake State. Over 150 learners are expected to be supported over the next three years.

The need is critical in the Huntsville area, Drake State officials said. Huntsville, one of the fastest growing tech centers in the country, is the site of NASA's Marshall Space Center, Boeing, Science Applications International Corporation, and other federal tech companies.

"Drake State has long been committed to offering flexible, affordable technical degrees and customized skills training to support and enhance the lives of our workforce and the health of our industries across North Alabama," said Patricia Sims, college president. "Our new Access Partnership with edX will help us continue to meet workforce demands by preparing highly skilled workers to take on roles in Huntsville's unique blend of space and defense industries, biotechnology, healthcare, and high-tech manufacturing."

"Working together with Drake State and other partners in the Huntsville community, we aim to improve access to quality education and help diversify the tech talent pipeline as demand for cybersecurity and data analyst roles continue to grow," said Anant Agarwal, edX founder.

For more information, visit Drake State's boot camp page.