Twin Cities, MN

All classroom-based Creating IT Futures classes take place over eight weeks with one instructor and up to 25 students. The instructor shares material in a lecture format, but leaves plenty of time for questions, group projects and one-on-one attention, as well as hands-on labs. The online-only classes take place over 12 weeks with up to 35 students per session.

Creating IT Futures’ classes are underwritten by grants and financial donations, so that students can attend classes for free.

Classes are held five days a week, Monday through Friday, beginning promptly at 9 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. Students are required to be on time every day; the program allows only one absence and two tardies. Most classes run for 8 weeks. Online classes run for 12 weeks and are held for either 3 hours in the morning or afternoon, depending on which session the student is enrolled.

Within four months of graduating, 85% of IT-Ready students are working in a paid IT role in local area companies. Technical support graduates move into help desk tech roles, building and maintaining a business’ IT environment and assisting its internal and external customers. QA graduates move into software testing roles. BA graduates move into project coordinator and junior business analyst roles. IT-Ready students who pass their certification exams are eligible for a tech job paying up to $15/hour. IT-Ready graduates are effectively employees of that company on a temporary, contract, or full-time permanent basis. IT-Ready staff remain in touch with graduates to ensure all goes smoothly. ITCS graduates are prepared for additional learning to earn industry certifications for a career in technology.