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Case Study • • 3 minute read

Opening Doors for a New Generation of Tech Talent with LaunchCode

Our involvement with LaunchCode creates pathways to economic prosperity while simultaneously creating a pipeline of tech talent to help our business.

In this case study

  1. By the numbers
  2. Strategic alignment and volunteer engagement
  3. When you can't find it, build it.

People do great things when they're able to pursue their passion. LaunchCode is a nonprofit that provides free tech education and job placement opportunities to those from non-traditional backgrounds. 

We invest in LaunchCode graduates through mentorship, training and hiring as part of our Community Outreach objective — to build, retain and grow a highly competent, competitive and diverse pipeline of individuals who are capable of leading in the future. 

LaunchCode's training curriculum and recruiting methods accelerate this process, giving us a pool of skilled workforce we can tap into to continue to grow our business.

"Going through LaunchCode gave me the confidence to know that I can do it, and I can learn these new skills even without a background, without a bachelor's in computer science," said Jillian Embrey, a LaunchCoder turned WWT web developer.

We are proud to also work closely with CoderGirl, LaunchCode's education program designed to engage and educate non-binary and those who identify as women, as we seek to further diversify our employee base. 

LaunchCode and CoderGirl are key to our broader Diversity & Inclusion strategy to drive shared value across our people, business and community.

 By the numbers

  • 60 percent of LaunchCode students are women or non-binary
  • 60 percent of LaunchCode students are from low-income households
  • 49 percent of LaunchCode students are people of color
  • Over 18 LaunchCode apprentices hired as full-time WWT employees to date

 Strategic alignment and volunteer engagement

WWT's Global Community Impact program strives to promote and support philanthropy that generates economic, social and financial outcomes. The program focuses on three pillars of impact — career readiness, human services, and health and wellness. LaunchCode helps advance these areas by providing: 

  • STEM Education
  • Workforce Development
  • Mentorship
  • Mock interviews
  • Workforce training

 When you can't find it, build it.

As WWT expands into new markets, finding software talent can be a challenge. We're excited to be partnering with LaunchCode as we look to establish a presence in Detroit in 2022. With a modest investment from WWT, LaunchCode will recruit and provide its free tech training to those who seek it, giving WWT a talent-rich cohort of diverse candidates to join our team in the Motor City.

"I keep being surprised — in a good way — by how much a person who is passionate about being in this industry can learn in a short period of time when given that opportunity," said Nick Bimpasis, WWT Software Engineering Director who helps lead our relationship with LaunchCode. "We've hired LaunchCoders who were baristas or forklift drivers — people who may never have known about this career or about WWT — who are now driving significant business outcomes for our customers."