An educational program designed to help women learn or re-learn technology skills was scheduled to return to Utah Tech University this fall. Tech-Moms, a nonprofit workforce development program, offers training in digital literacy, technology, career readiness, networking, entrepreneurship, and personal branding.
The program was intended to help adults gain the skills and connections required to enter or re-enter the workforce, according to Katie Swenson, the program's social media marketing manager. Swenson stated that the opportunity was made possible by the success of the inaugural Southern Utah cohort last fall.
Participants in the program were encouraged to bring school-age children to classes or receive child care support. The curriculum includes speakers from various career fields who assist participants in deciding which areas of the tech industry they might consider pursuing.
Mindi Hamilton, a Tech-Moms graduate and single mother, described the program as a crash course that helps participants get their feet wet in the industry. Hamilton, who has nearly 30 years of experience in the tech industry, used the program to build a network of professional contacts in the area.
Hamilton noted that the classes included a diverse group of women, including retirees, grandmothers, and new mothers. She suggested that the program is valuable for building confidence, particularly for those with no prior technical experience.
The upcoming program was scheduled to be held on the university campus on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., running from Sept. 12 through Nov. 14.
