Code/IT Academy provides free training to grow Indiana’s tech talent pool and to help Hoosiers access higher-paying jobs in the digital economy. Code/IT is a partnership between The Mill, Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI), and Ivy Tech and is funded through a $1.37 million grant from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).
Code/IT Academy was launched in June of 2020 with support from the City of Bloomington and is currently in its seventh session. By April 2023, nearly 200 people will have gone through Code/IT’s ten weeks of free training to prepare for certifications and jobs in areas such as web development, IT administration, CompTIA Security+, and Amazon Web Services Cloud Practitioner. Ivy Tech instructors teach three sessions of Code/IT a year, on a variety of in-demand topics. Participants join study groups and hone soft skills at The Mill, and receive career coaching through the Ivy+ Career Link program. Monroe County participants also receive free membership to The Mill.
With the support of the READI grant, the program expanded to Washington and Crawford Counties in 2023. In 2024, it will expand to Daviess, Dubois, and Orange counties. In 2025, it will reach Lawrence, Greene, Martin, Brown, and Owen Counties. Sessions will take place in person at The Mill in Bloomington and be live-streamed to satellite county locations with on-site facilitators.
About The Mill
The Mill is the heart of southern Indiana’s startup ecosystem and its largest coworking space. A 501(c)3 nonprofit, its mission is to spark Bloomington’s innovation economy by launching and accelerating startups, and its vision is to become Indiana’s center of gravity for entrepreneurship. For more information, visit https://www.dimensionmill.org /
About Regional Opportunity Initiatives
Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance economic and community prosperity in the 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands (Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties). ROI is growing potential and possibility through a focus on advanced industry sectors, regionalism, transformative school and workforce redesign, and placemaking strategies. To learn more about ROI’s programs, visit https://regionalopportunityinc.org/.
About the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) in the Indiana Uplands
In May 2021, Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) launched the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), a transformational initiative with $500 million in state appropriations to promote strategic investments to make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth.
Through READI, regions worked collaboratively to create visions for the future, with programs, initiatives, and projects critical to retaining talent and attracting the workforce of tomorrow. In the Uplands region, this effort, led by ROI and Radius Indiana, included participation from hundreds of stakeholders and organizations and leadership from a steering committee with 17 members representing regional anchor institutions and regional organizations.
Seventeen regions, including the Indiana Uplands, developed plans that outline strategies focused on improving the quality of place, quality of life, and quality of opportunity. The Indiana Uplands plan, entitled “A Region on the Rise,” can be accessed on the ROI website at: https://regionalopportunityinc.org/readi
To help regions achieve their goals, the IEDC awarded READI funds to accelerate the implementation of regional development plans and the programs and projects identified that will catalyze economic and population growth. In December 2021, the Indiana Uplands was awarded $30 million in READI funds for our “Region on the Rise.” Regions are expected to provide a 4:1 match in support of projects and programs. This includes a required 1:1 match from local public funding and a recommended 3:1 match from private and philanthropic sources.
For more information and announcements on Indiana Uplands READI projects, please visit: https://regionalopportunityinc.org/readi-projects/
FAQ
Who is eligible to enroll?
You must be a resident of the county in which you attend Code/IT, and you must be at least 18 years old on the day classes start. Enrollment is limited, and not everyone who applies will receive a seat. Priority is given to folks without a college degree.
How much does it cost?
$0. Tuition is covered for participants, and we make laptops available during the course to anyone who needs one. Those who complete the course receive vouchers for certification exams.
I don't have a college degree or experience. Would I be a good candidate?
Yes! Some courses do require more experience, but the whole point of Code/IT Academy is to help bring folks into the digital economy. No degree, no experience? You’re exactly who we’re looking for!
How can my business tap into this talent pool?
Code/IT Academy produces motivated graduates who are ready to work hard and change their lives. If you’re interested in helping grow our local talent pool in coding, IT, and tech, please reach out. Our employer partners work with us in a variety of ways, including holding mock interviews to build skills or holding real interviews to find talent. Add your contact information to our list to be notified of opportunities!
What topics are offered?
We offer in-demand courses on a rotating basis. Past topics include web development, Comp TIA Security+, IT administration, Amazon Web Services cloud practitioner, and more.
What if I reside in a county that doesn't offer Code/IT?
Currently, Code/IT is only available to residents of Crawford, Monroe, and Washington counties. Subscribe to updates to learn when we add more counties!