A nonprofit is opening doors to careers in technology. NPower is an organization offering free IT training to young adults from underserved communities.
About six months ago, Maria German was a single mother unsure of her future. Wanting to provide a better life for her son, she knew she had to do something. That’s when she learned about NPower.
“It’s been life-changing,” said German. “They give you no excuse to not come to class, or to not do your work, or just to say I can’t do it because they’re just really helpful.”
NPower gave German the tools she needed to land a job in technology. By offering free training and paid internships, the program helps people from underserved communities who didn’t think they could get a career in the field.
“Being in this industry, we don’t typically see a lot of diverse population in technology,” said Cathy Morgan, the Executive Director of NPower Maryland. “That is very important that we’re able to create these pathways for young adults”.
Morgan says the program is working to change that mold and really make a difference in the community.
“We really have an opportunity to touch young women who typically don’t see themselves in the technology field,” said Morgan. “We are really excited about the young women that chose NPower and come to us and consider us to trust us with their future.”
A career in technology is something young women like German didn’t think was possible.
“IT is mainly known for men,” said German. “As a woman, and a young black woman and being African American, it definitely had that intimidating factor to it. But I had to push that to the back of my head and say you got this”.
Thanks to her time with NPower, German is now working full-time with a technology company in the area. She’s providing a better life not just for herself but for her son.
Since 2016, NPower has placed more than 200 people in Baltimore. 80% of their students either get employment after they complete the program, or go on to continue their education.
