UNITE-LA is thrilled to share that it launched its Step into Tech: A Pathway Forward Trainee Program in early September. The Step into Tech Trainee Program was a virtual, five-week program created to engage system-involved individuals 18 and older in virtual work-based learning opportunities and to expose them to high-growth, high-demand careers, and training opportunities in technology. In each session, participants were introduced to a new Step to Success, which was usually also incorporated into their check-ins. Some of the Steps to Success included networking, positive thinking and stress management. This program was presented in partnership with the Office of Diversion and Reentry, the Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership and the SECTOR program.

In the program's first two weeks, participants met, learned from and engaged with seven professionals in various tech careers during two career days, including James Hawkins, Software Engineer at Google; Nick Corral, Senior Technical Program Manager for Meta; Danielle Corpus, Marketing and Communications Manager for UNITE-LA; Scizors, QA Engineer from Emergent Works; Nick Huela, Software Engineer, Third and Grove; Eddie Jauregui, Director of Data Strategy, Create Music Group; and Ken Kook, Supply Chain Lead, Snap Inc. 

Participants were provided opportunities to explore potential pathways forward by hearing from and engaging with representatives from organizations that provide free tech training programs, including Emergent Works, Next Chapter and Perscholas, each specifically created for system-impacted individuals.

Participants were then introduced to mentors and learned from additional tech professionals, with the last session dedicated to working 1:1 with each participant to enroll them in a program of their interest and/or coaching them on to a pathway forward.