New program in Hartford training young women for careers in tech

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – A new program in Harford is helping more women break into the technology sector.

Pipeline 4.0 is helping prepare young people for careers in tech and is making a difference in the capital city.

“For me it’s super exciting. I have a family at home so knowing that I’m putting in the ten weeks to get something that’s going to excel all of our futures, it’s very exciting,” said Camren Gibson, a trainee at Pipeline 4.0.

Gibson is training to become an Information Technology Help Desk Specialist.

“For the most part, it’s men that are the face. So to be in this cohort, it’s very empowering,” Gibson said.

Through the program young adults in Hartford are being trained for 10 weeks in Information Technology.

They’re gaining professional and technical skills that will guarantee them a job in tech.

“Bringing jobs from offshore bringing them back to the U.S., bringing them to inner cities such as Hartford, is an amazing opportunity,” said Sabrina Tucker-Barrett, President and CEO of Girls for Technology.

The program was created through a partnership between the Hartford-based organization called Girls for Technology, the city, and Galaxe. Solutions, which is a tech firm in Hartford.

“Everyone deserves to participate in the American dream, to pursue happiness, to provide for themselves and their families and this program is doing that,” said Ryan Hoyle, Outsource to America Program Vice President, Galaxe. Solutions.

Through the partnership, Galaxe. Solutions will commit to hiring 60 graduates of the program for Information Technology jobs this year.

“This is a perfect example of a public private partnership that’s a win-win, it helps mark sure that some of our amazing companies have access to the talent that they need and that the incredible talented young people in our city have access to those jobs and those careers,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin.

The program is co-ed so women and men from Hartford between the ages of 18 and 29 are invited to apply.

The city is providing funding through the American Rescue Plan.

“Just to work in a technical field again, that’s my life goal. I enjoy working with computers, I enjoy working with software,” said Austin Francis, a trainee at Pipeline 4.0.

Those skillsets are helping to build a local talent pipeline in tech.

If you’re interested in applying for the next session, click here.

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