Mission
Center For Information Technology Talent Acceleration (C4ITA) was founded to address the chronic and pervasive severe imbalance between technology supply and demand in the market, “the Center for IT Talent Acceleration” will develop superior talent by accelerating knowledge acquisition and industry experience, by creating a public-private education & apprenticeship model, resulting in rapid and sustained value creation for Students, Communities, Employers, Colleges, and Schools across the U.S.A.
C4ITA Flagship Initiative is to grow “diverse” local talent through our “Accelerated Software Engineering Apprenticeship Program” (ASEAP). Our primary goal is to create 500 software engineers in 5 years for “each county” in the Chicagoland area through the ASEAP model. Expansion to other parts of the USA to follow.
At ASEAP, we also have a passionate goal to increase the percent of women computer science/software engineering graduates, above the state level average of 16%.
Source: 2017 data @ code.org/advocacy/state-facts/IL
Board of Directors
John Hart
John Hart is a seasoned Information Technology executive with more than 30 years of experience in a variety of corporate settings ranging from PE backed startups to large international financial institutions. Primarily focused on transformation and growth-based companies, John held a series of progressive leadership positions leading to C-suite roles in a number of technology and financial corporations such as Seed CX, Ventas, CME group, First Options, MacArthur Foundation. The core of his career focus is centered on transformation ranging from creating one of the first algorithmic trading systems to building the world’s largest futures and options trading system and ultimately creating exchange technology to facilitate international trading of cryptocurrency.
He is also a musician with 45 years of experience who enjoys playing many styles of music professionally. Leader, teacher and mentor in a number of volunteer and philanthropic organizations. An avid outdoor sports enthusiast enjoying downhill skiing, cycling, and hiking.
Advisory Board
Jakki Dace
Jacquelyn (Jakki) Dace joined City Colleges of Chicago in February 2019. As the Director of Apprenticeships and Work Based Learning Programs she is developing apprenticeship programs for all CCC Centers of Excellence. Prior to joining CCC, she spent 13 years at Chicago Public Schools building and managing relationships with corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, trades and connected professionals to CPS students studying in a variety of career pathways. She has over 20 years’ experience in workforce development (2nd career). Her first career was in Software testing and development where she worked for IBM, Unisys, Ernst & Young and as an Entrepreneur. She has a proven track record for developing sustaining programs that support youth’s access to careers and promising futures. Jacquelyn has a Master’s Degree in Education, is an Author, Public Speaker and Real Estate Broker.
Adam Lueken
Adam Lueken has been teaching Computer Science at Vernon Hills High School for the past 10 year. He teaches two AP CS courses and a post-AP course in Data Structures. Ten years ago he had only 14 students enrolled in CS, this year there are 280! His nonprofit XPerience Consulting organization is very active in the community (building apps, websites, and promotional advertising) while most importantly getting students meaningful real-world experiences. He is the Treasurer for the North Suburban Chicago CSTA(Computer Science Teachers Association) and a proud Dad of two.
What is ASEAP?
It is an Accelerated Software Engineering Apprenticeship Program to speed up software engineering talent education, and fill the critical talent shortage for employers thru a Earn and Learn model.
We accelerate the learning:
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Core Computer Science courses (approx. 20) are front loaded, to replicate the CS curriculum from a 4-year computer science degree plan.
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Key Gen-Ed classes are incorporated into the technical program.
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Intensive apprenticeship driven program, where employers, students and colleges take the journey together.
Software Engineering
The education is for 4 semesters:
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During the first 3 semesters, students train on ‘core’ software engineering skills.
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During the final semester, students will choose one of these specialization tracks, and gain advanced knowledge:
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Enterprise level programming
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Embedded system programming
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User Experience(UI/UX)
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Apprenticeship Program
The program will be for 4 years:
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First 2 years of apprenticeship-based education
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4 Semesters of class room training at College
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4 Semesters of 20 hour per week of paid apprenticeship with employer
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Plus 1 summer of full time 3 month paid apprenticeship with employer
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Next 2 years of employment in the Software field, post completion of education
Timelines:
Jan-Feb 2020: Recruit High School Seniors and Employers
Feb-Mar 2020: Complete interviews and student selection
April 2020: Signing ceremony
Summer 2020: Orientation and soft skills
Fall 2020: Classes and paid apprenticeship begins
Partner College:
Wilber Wright College
@City Colleges of Chicago
4300 N Narragansett Ave,
Chicago, IL 60634