Schools

Columbia University - New York, NY

The SLICE Program at the Morningside Campus of Columbia University's Center for Technology, Innovation and Community Engagement at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science offers qualified residents from Harlem and other neighboring communities the chance learn computer skills that can lead to information technology careers. SLICE (Service Learning in a Community Environment) is offered at no cost and is designed for unemployed and under-employed local residents who wish to pursue a challenging new career.

Through a strategic relationship with WOS, SLICE helps find employment for its students. WOS finds part-time employment in the community so students get hands-on experience while they are working toward their certificate from Columbia. Many graduates stay on to become consultants with WOS and can be hired by client corporations.

Rutgers University-Newark - Newark, NJ

Study, Opportunity, Aspiration, Rutgers-Newark (SOAR) was created in early 2008 as an innovative workforce development program through a strategic alliance with Workforce Opportunity Services (WOS). The 12-month certification program targets high school or GED graduates in New Jersey's urban areas, as well as military veterans.

At no cost to those accepted into the program, the SOAR partnership offers local residents an intensive series of professional courses, career advising, mentoring, and ultimately placement in full-time consulting roles in IT field. SOAR bridges the digital divide with long-term academic, social, and professional support, targeting populations traditionally underrepresented in the high-technology industry, building their skill sets, and enlarging the local pool of qualified technology workers.

Penn State University-Lehigh Valley - Allentown, PA

The WOS program at Penn State-Lehigh Valley is a collaboration between WOS, Penn State-Lehigh Valley, and Guardian Life Insurance. The program targets graduated or graduating high school seniors that are ready for college but lack the necessary financial support structure needed for college success. The first class, which graduated in January 2011, completed a curriculum in Software Development Lifecycle, which was divided into three 13-week semesters with courses such as System Analysis and Design, Quality Assurance, JAVA, SQL, .NET, and also work on soft skills through our Mentoring courses.

Upon successful completion of the first semester, students begin part-time consulting work at client corporations. They become full-time consultants at the completion of the academic program and can be hired by sponsoring companies. The inaugural class works at Guardian in diverse roles, including Quality Assurance, Business Analyst, Network Engineer, and Data Center Operations positions.

After receiving their certificate of completion, participants in the program receive tuition reimbursement for up to six credits per semester at any state university of their choice, as well as single health insurance at no cost. The program is designed to provide a pathway toward a successful career in IT as well as a debt-free college education for young adults in the Penn State-Lehigh Valley region.

University of Akron - Akron, OH

WOS and The University of Akron have begun a partnership to serve aspirational students from urban areas of Cleveland, Ohio. The track is designed to help young adults who are first-time job seekers by placing them in a 12-month work-study program. The WOS classes focus on both the hard and soft skills that will prepare them for the transformation into the workplace such as business etiquette, project management, hardware, software and desktop support, network technologies and information systems security.  

Students are able to employ the skills they are taught into the business world in the second term, when they begin working part-time for sponsor companies such as Eaton Corporation. Upon successful completion of the courses, students receive a Certificate in Computer Technician Technologies from the University of Akron. This partnership with the University of Akron allows WOS to provide training and job placement to young adults in Ohio who otherwise might not have had access to either higher education or a private-sector job.

Penn State University-Abington - Abington, PA

WOS and Penn State-Abington launched a partnership in September 2011 to train military veterans in business operations support. Seven Veterans earned their certificates in Business Operations Support from Penn State-Abington in March 2012 and currently work as customer service representatives and project managers at Prudential in Fort Washington, Pa.

University of North Florida - Jacksonville, FL

WOS and University of North Florida (UNF) embarked on a new partnership in September 2011 to prepare local military veterans for careers in customer service. The inaugural class began in September 2011 and will earn their certificates in Business Operations Support in April 2012. They currently serve as customer service representatives for Prudential in Jacksonville.  

The University of North Carolina  - Charlotte, NC

The University of North Carolina Charlotte, in partnership with WOS, provides a Certificate in Business Operations Support that prepares Veterans to make the transition from military life into corporate careers.

The inaugural partnership with Merck offered a work-study program that prepared Veterans to become Customer Service Analysts in the shared services operations of this major corporation. At the end of the program, when the participants met the attendance and grade requirements, they were placed in a Customer Service Analyst consultant position at Merck. The Business Operations Support Certificate was a 13-week program that consisted of topics tailored to the Customer Service Analyst role including: Business Process Management, Leadership, Problem Solving, Business Writing and Communication, Customer Service, and Knowledge Management. The first offering of the program began on July 31, 2012 and was completed on October 25, 2012. Classes were held at UNC Charlotte’s Center City Building. WOS now has 12 consultants working as Customer Service Analysts in various departments in the Charlotte Shared Services Division of Merck.

The second initiative, launched in January, 2013, is in partnership with United Rentals, Inc. The program is a two-semester, 26-week work-study curriculum focusing on Customer Service, Data Entry, Leadership and United Rentals Processes and Procedures. This Cohort will be hired directly after the successful completion of the certificate program as Inside Sales Representatives.

The academic programs at The University of North Carolina Charlotte, through the auspices of their Office of Extended Academic Programs, represent a vital partnership in the success of our Veterans providing a sustainable transition from the military to the corporate environment.

Northeast Iowa Community College – Dubuque Iowa

Marking the first program of its kind west of the Mississippi River, WOS and Northeast Iowa Community College have begun a partnership to train veterans from the surrounding area for Customer Service Associate positions with Prudential Financial in Dubuque, Iowa. Veterans will receive instruction in mentoring, customer service, quality assurance, business writing and communication, problem solving, computer literacy, data entry, and financial services over an eight week semester. Upon completion, they will be awarded a Certificate of Business Operations Support from Northeast Iowa Community College and begin training for positions with Prudential Retirement Services in Dubuque. 

Newark Public School System

The Newark Public School System has been instrumental in identifying quality candidates for the WOS program's New Jersey based curriculum and operations.

Harlem Business Alliance

Harlem Business Alliance has been working with WOS to recommend candidates for the program's New York based curriculum and operations.