LaunchCode is a non-profit organization that creates pathways to economic opportunity, and upward mobility through apprenticeships and job placement in the technology industry. LaunchCode partners with over 300 companies, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, and matches them with job seekers through a unique mentorship and paid apprenticeship program. ClearanceJobs recently sat down with Daniel Fogarty, the Vice President of Growth at LaunchCode.

Whether you are looking to be hired into a technology job or looking to hire a tech employee, LaunchCode is seeking candidates to join their programs, and for companies to come alongside them and help place trained, qualified veterans in tech positions.

As a former recruiter, I tend to ask some probing questions, trying to understand a person’s background and how they ended up walking down the path to get to their current destination. So, naturally, my first question for Daniel was “What is your story and how did you get here?”

Daniel is Irish and grew up in Dublin before moving to the St. Louis area seven years ago. He supported a startup in the investing world for a bit as the LaunchCode idea was becoming a reality.  During this time, he also taught himself how to code. Soon enough, LauchCode became a running organization, and he has been there ever since.

As the VP of Growth, Fogarty creates solutions to grow LaunchCode’s employer partners and course attendance. In recent months, focus has been on transitioning military and veterans. “Working with transitioning veterans and organizations that have government contracts has been a really interesting and powerful way that helps a lot of people get jobs.”

Another goal of Fogarty’s is to grow the organization geographically. LaunchCode is expanding, including plans to open an office in Philadelphia. Don’t have a location near you yet? Don’t fret. Even though they tend to avoid remote learning opportunities, as studies show learning tech requires hands-on teaching, they have programs in 11-12 states in the U.S. They drop into these locations and run programs – some of which are open to the public and some of which are for companies with a need for specific skill sets. This accessibility is wonderful for another population in the defense space: military spouses. If a military spouse is looking to gain a new, easily transferable skill with incredibly low unemployment, LaunchCode is a great organization to be a part of. LaunchCode has previously hosted a military family focused program, partnering with the Berges Family Foundation for a class in close proximity to Scott Air Force Base.

“The biggest barrier to getting into a career in technology is the cost of it”

What’s really unique about LaunchCode is the special recipe they have created: a free program for anyone that can build technology skills, but also connect graduates with peers, other industry leaders, and potential employers. One of the core pieces of LaunchCode: their apprenticeship program. They provide one on one coaching, develop a technical portfolio and create an individualized track for each student. Students learning from peers in class and gain on the job experience.

For employers, this is an amazing opportunity to receive fresh minds who are eager to learn and have already received a tailored training program on key company technical projects. The minimum requirement of an employer is that they have a mentor assigned for each new apprentice.  “The biggest one thus far is Booz Allen Hamilton, who has been a great supporter of our organization and programs. Through the partnership, you see the LaunchCoders that came through 2-3 years ago and are now serving as mentors,” said Fogarty. LaunchCode has also placed folks at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and have created three training curriculums specific to NGA staff.

Accessible and Flexible

It is apparent that ‘accessible and flexible’ is the underlying them of LaunchCode, and they keep this in mind when it comes to transitioning military and veteran audiences. It’s free, some at your own pace, in different locations, some during the day, some at night. At LaunchCode, they believe that gaining a new skill or perfecting one should not mean you have to quit your job.

Out of 30-40 programs, they have done three veteran focused programs, and have a few more on the schedule. These programs are taking place in close proximity to military bases to make the programs more accessible. LaunchCode is also taking advantage of their government employers by partnering on pilot programs in various locations.

Applications for their LC101 class in St. Louis, which has a focus on enrolling the military community thanks to The Berges Family Foundation, close on March 29. More info can be found here.

At LaunchCode, they understand there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for today’s tech individuals looking to join their next course. That’s why programs are tailored not just to give students a certain certification, but to give them an employable skill and an opportunity with an industry partner.

For tech employers facing hiring challenges, LaunchCode offers a unique solution – hand picked candidates with hand picked skills, ready to roll on day one thanks to a training program developed with a partner employer in mind.

So, if you’re a company in tech, what are you waiting for?