DPI Joins the Coalition of Leading Companies to Offer Education and Training that Lead to Gainful Employment
The Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) has been inducted into the OneTen employer partner network, a coalition of leading CEOs and their companies aiming to upskill, hire, and advance one million Black individuals without four-year degrees over the next decade.
As a OneTen talent developer, DPI will provide resources to and train Black talent in Illinois for high-demand tech jobs, further growing Chicago’s tech community.
“We’re delighted to welcome DPI to our growing network of endorsed talent developers,” said Maurice Jones, CEO of OneTen. “We look forward to working together to provide Black talent with the skills they need to gain access to family-sustaining jobs in Chicago’s tech sector. We strongly believe that eliminating barriers to career advancement for Black talent will help lift everyone.”
OneTen talent developers represent leading education and skill-building organizations that support diverse talent without four-year degrees.
DPI is specifically being endorsed for two programs for adult learners: The Inclusive Tech Fellows program and its 1-year software development pathway program.
Set to launch in Spring 2022, the Inclusive Tech Fellows program will offer 3 to 6 months of training in software development, cybersecurity or data analytics for Black and LatinX people and women.
The pathway program, set to launch in Summer 2022, is a combination of in-class instruction and on-the-job training that will take members of these groups from zero to a tech job in 1 year.
OneTen will offer DPI access to a group of employers eager to hire these program graduates as part of their larger commitment to growing the Black middle class and achieving racial and economic justice.
“We’re excited to be part of a network that is going to help us train and upskill Black Illinoisans into family-sustaining careers,” said Omowale Casselle, the director of DPI’s Pritzker Tech Talent Labs. “Together, we’ll cultivate more equitable access to opportunity and advancement for our students — access that also makes our employers better corporate citizens.”
About DPI
The Discovery Partners Institute empowers people to jumpstart their tech careers or companies in Chicago. Led by the University of Illinois System in partnership with top research universities, it does three things: Train people for high-demand tech jobs; conduct applied R&D; and support Chicago’s tech community. With state investment and a new innovation district in development, DPI has the resources to attract, develop, and leverage the most ambitious people and companies the region has to offer — and keep them here.
About OneTen
OneTen is a coalition of leading chief executives and their companies who are coming together to upskill, hire and promote one million Black individuals who do not yet have a four-year degree into family-sustaining jobs with opportunities for advancement over the next 10 years. OneTen connects employers with talent developers including leading non-profits and other skill-credentialing organizations who support development of diverse talent. By creating more equitable and inclusive workforces, we believe we can reach our full potential as a nation of united citizens. OneTen recognizes the unique potential in everyone – every individual, every business, every community – to change the arc of America’s story with Black talent. Join us at OneTen.org, where one can be the difference.