ITWorks - Empowering Entire Communities

In Philadelphia, more than 70,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are neither in school nor employed. Currently, workplace internships and other opportunities to gain job skills and experience are available to only a fraction of these young people.

The NPower Pennsylvania Information Technology Workforce Program or “ITWorks” helps these young people become job-ready for entry level jobs in the computer industry.   ITWorks teaches students PC configuration and networking skills, troubleshooting, customer service and communication skills.  NPower PA’s CIO Council ensures that students are learning skills that make them valuable in the workplace and they provide students with gateways to employment upon graduation.

ITWorks provides its students with an experience that will help improve their income potential for life and help them become self-sufficient.

Lila Santos, age 24, recently completed the ITWorks program and an internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers.  She says of her experience: “I am a single parent and my son’s life depends on my success. ITWorks offered me an opportunity to learn a skill along with a network of contacts which in turn has opened up other opportunities for success. Coming in as a person with little knowledge of configuring software or hardware, I now find myself wanting to learn more and more about technology. I now know that I can be a role model for my son and not just "mom, the pizza girl”."

Solenny Herrera, age 24 had a similar experience with the program.  She is now employed full time at Reed Technology and Information Services.  “I grew up under difficult circumstances. My father did not believe in women being educated outside the home. Through much resistance and lack of support, I was able to attend school which eventually led me to apply to the ITWorks program. Now I have a greater understanding of the impact technology has on people and society. The ITWorks program has helped me to reflect what my professional goals are in the future and how I can help other people and organizations to become more efficient by using computer technology.”

Through ITWorks NPower PA is truly empowering entire communities.