Tag: Enterprise

Enterprise FAQs

Posted on by Flatiron School

A modern tech team with updated skills is the key to success. While most organizations realize training is critical, it can be hard to know where to start. No matter your business’s needs or phase in the “hire to retire” tech talent life cycle, Flatiron School is ready to help and answer all your enterprise FAQs.

We’ve trained more than 10,000 learners over the past decade. What’s more, we’ve helped dozens of organizations save time, money, and headaches in attracting and retaining top talent.

If you’re wondering where – or how – to get started training your workers, take a look at some of the common FAQs about our Enterprise programs, and see if you see any overlap with your needs. If you do, we’ll be here when you’re ready to get started.

Why Partner with Flatiron School?

Flatiron School’s programs are centered on high-quality curriculum, learning experiences, and outcomes. 

While other tech educators scramble to acquire as many learners as possible—diluting themselves in the process with many different programs or by chasing the next great marketing statistic—Flatiron School is laser-focused on delivering the best education possible across four core disciplines:

We set and maintain the highest standards when it comes to teaching relevant skills, learner outcomes, and client satisfaction.

Do Flatiron School Instructors Have Industry Experience?

Our instructors have hands-on experience in their respective fields. Our solutions engineers and curriculum developers have decades of combined experience and diverse backgrounds in industry, academia, and the military. 

Together, our instructors, solutions engineers, and curriculum developers keep our programs fresh by developing content that corresponds to active job descriptions—as well as seeking feedback from hiring managers.

How Does Flatiron School Prioritize Diversity?

Over the past decade, we’ve trained over 10,000 diverse learners from all walks of life. We have a history of working to diversify the tech industry through scholarships for underrepresented groups, such as women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and low-income households.

Flatiron School also makes tremendous efforts to remove biases from the recruiting process, ensuring talent is evaluated solely on their abilities and propensity to succeed. 

How Do You Address Bootcamp Stereotypes?

Bootcamps sometimes garner a negative reputation because they’re not overly transparent with their data. For example, competitors may say they have a 100% placement rate, but that placement rate could include grads who received unpaid internships. Flatiron School goes the extra mile to be transparent. We were the first in the tech education industry to publicly publish a jobs report, which is reviewed for accuracy by a neutral third party.

Why Should We Use Flatiron School to Train Our Employees?

Our core expertise is in helping organizations deeply understand tech talent and strategically invest in the “hire to retire” lifecycle. 

With curriculum covering a variety of languages, frameworks, and libraries across Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and UX / UI Product Design and the flexibility to train when, where, and how you want – including with or without instructor-led training – our programs are tailored to meet your business-specific training needs.

To learn more about our suite of solutions including Hire & Train, Onboarding, Reskilling, Upskilling, and Licensing Curriculum, visit our Training Solutions page.

What Are The Benefits Of Instructor-Led Training?

When you choose an instructor-led training program, as opposed to conducting the training internally, you’re getting our instructors’ expertise, experience, and accumulated knowledge base on how best to teach their material. Other tangible benefits include:

  • Ability to adapt programs to learners’ style and progress – everyone learns differently. When instructors have the flexibility to tailor programs to learning styles, existing knowledge, and progress, they typically see a higher aptitude for success. 
  • Real-time interaction with instructors – When learners have the opportunity to ask questions and receive personalized help, it fosters accelerated learning and enhances knowledge retention.
  • Peer learning – Collaborative learning opens the door for new perspectives and an overall dynamic learning environment. It also promotes professional growth and networking opportunities.
  • Increased learner engagement – Learners with a structure such as regular assignments, group activities, and milestones stay motivated and accountable, ultimately resulting in higher engagement and success rates. 
  • Flexible schedules – Programs have higher levels of engagement when hosted at convenient times, allowing learners to be free of any commitments and distractions.

How Can Employee Tech Training Benefit Us?

Investing in employee training improves retention rates and keeps your employees’ skills up to date, improving your company’s agility in the marketplace. We can help at every stage of the employee lifecycle, from hiring, training, and onboarding to upskilling and retraining to prepare your tech teams to innovate.

How Does Flatiron School Address Recruitment Challenges?

To find and retain top tech talent, you need a deep understanding of what this unique community values. Flatiron School knows tech talent because we’ve been training them for the last decade. Flatiron School’s recruitment solutions source talent from our extensive alumni network, as well as the larger tech industry, to ensure the employers we work with find the right candidates to fill their in-demand tech roles. 

With our enterprise recruitment solutions, we help find and deliver a trained workforce ready to meet your business needs.    

What Does AI Training Look Like at Flatiron School?

More organizations are incorporating AI technology into their workforce to streamline business processes, optimize workflow, and compete in an ever-changing landscape. Our AI training programs provide actionable solutions to help businesses embrace emerging AI trends. Even non-technical employees can benefit from an AI-focused training program. 

Our trainings include:

  • Detecting cybersecurity threats
  • Prompt engineering basics
  • AI application deployment
  • AI strategy for business leaders

Does Flatiron School Work with Traditional Higher Education Institutions?

Yes, higher education institutions often license our curriculum! Our partnerships with these institutions mean graduates are equipped for a rapidly evolving tech world and prepared to meet tech challenges across multiple industries.

How Is Flatiron School Addressing Skill Gaps in IT?

We believe the tech industry requires the brightest minds with the right skills to succeed in demanding roles. Our IT recruitment services are highly specific and targeted to help you find and bring on qualified professionals ready to succeed in the tech world. The right training can turn a strong candidate into the perfect fit.

What Does Flatiron School Offer Financial Firms?

The financial industry needs innovative training solutions to retain a solid workforce, eliminate unnecessary costs, and tackle cybersecurity challenges. Our financial services IT solutions renovate your business by helping your employees develop technological skills that help them keep up with industry changes in the financial sector.

How Does Flatiron School Streamline Medical IT Training?

Flatiron’s healthcare IT training program delivers a streamlined healthcare education focused on helping trainers become accustomed to the digital demands of the medical industry. This way, you get a highly reputable workforce that can facilitate modern healthcare work.

How Can Flatiron School Help My Employees Stay Current on Modern Tech?

There’s a technological baseline required in virtually any industry, standard skills that are as essential to modern business as the abilities to read and write. Flatiron School’s professional technical training programs ensure your employees stay current with industry-specific tech.

How Does Flatiron School Address Complex Technological Needs?

Our technology training programs address evolving technological demands, including AI and machine learning. Exposing trainees to artificial intelligence prepares them to enter the job market with a fresh set of technical skills. It will also help your business grow and succeed in a highly competitive market. 

Do You Offer Training in Retail Technology?

The retail industry constantly upgrades with software solutions that streamline the shopping experience. Our tech training for retail familiarizes your team with the latest software solutions and platforms operating in the retail marketplace.    

How Can I Stay Updated on the Latest Flatiron News?

To stay up-to-date on our latest services, offers, partnerships, and solutions, check out our news and events page.

Solutions For Businesses, Tailored To Yours

Trusted by Amazon and many Fortune 100 companies, Flatiron School is a seasoned technical training provider. Whether you need recruiting, onboarding, upskilling, reskilling, or something else, we have the expertise to build out the team you need to innovate.

With thousands of learners innovating at companies just like yours, we’re here to help solve your tech training challenges throughout the “hire to retire” tech talent lifecycle.

Contact us today to start designing a program to meet your organization’s training needs.

Roger Brown: Amazon Career Choice 2021

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Roger Brown, an October 2021 graduate of the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity Engineering program, transitioned into tech by way of Amazon’s Career Choice program. 

He shares his bootcamp experience and journey toward tech below.

Background

Roger began his career in hospitality. He worked in the field for several years before transitioning into tech.

“I was drawn to the constantly evolving nature of the tech industry and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology.” 

In early 2021, he’d been working as an Inbound Problem Solver at Amazon for two years when he learned about the Amazon Career Choice program. The program allows Amazon employees to receive technical training from partner institutions to pursue higher-paying career paths. 

“I decided to apply because I wanted to receive a high-quality education in a short amount of time,” he explained. “I hoped to gain the skills and knowledge needed to break into the tech industry and start a new career.”

Bootcamp Experience

Roger was accepted into the Amazon Career Choice program and enrolled with a cohort of fellow students from Amazon. The program ran for 32 weeks from February through October with the curriculum delivered online via live lectures. Students completed about 15 hours a week of classwork while continuing to work full-time, a logistical challenge for any new student. 

“Balancing the intense coursework with my other responsibilities was challenging,” Roger recalled. “But, my favorite part of the program was the hands-on projects, which allowed me to apply what I had learned and see the results firsthand.”

Job Search

Eight months after deciding to embark on his education journey, Roger graduated from the program with a brand new set of Cybersecurity skills. Like many of his classmates, he jumped right into the job search supported by his dedicated Career Coach. 

“My job search experience was made much easier by my career coach, who provided valuable guidance and support throughout the process.”

Ultimately, his efforts paid off. When we chatted with Roger in early 2023 he reported that he was “working as a Cybersecurity Specialist at a top tech company.”

Reflecting On His Journey

Looking back on where he began, Roger emphasized the perseverance needed to change one’s life and switch careers. 

“The biggest takeaway from my time at [Flatiron School’s Amazon Career Choice program] is the importance of hard work and perseverance,” he said. “No matter how challenging the program may seem, it is possible to succeed with dedication and determination.”

As for his advice for other students walking the same path, he recommends sticking with it when things get hard. 

“Stay focused and make the most of every opportunity. It can be difficult at times, but the effort will pay off in the end.”

Flatiron School Retraining Programs

Amazon’s Career Choice offers eligible Amazon employees like Roger Brown the opportunity to pivot careers into higher-paying jobs through retraining. 

The program was created as a way to attract top talent as well as improve employee engagement and retention. 

Following the initial cohort’s success, Amazon again selected Flatiron School to deliver Career Choice programs in 2023. 

Contact us to learn how a Flatiron School retraining program can attract and retain top talent at your organization.

How Upskilling and Reskilling Saves Your Company Money

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Technological advancements like automation, AI, and deep learning are helping companies reduce labor costs. With many companies incorporating these technologies into their offerings and operations, more is getting done in less time. There are significant time savings, greater process efficiency, and cost reduction. But, as a side effect, businesses need fewer employees to perform the same work. Efficiency has improved, and there aren’t enough tasks to go around.

Employees can try to move between departments, but some employees’ skill sets have simply become outdated and are not up to par with the current level of technology in the company or the world. Due to this, they cannot fulfill any current role in the company.

So what to do with the workers that have become obsolete, through no fault of their own? Will you lay off loyal, seasoned employees with outdated talents and hire new employees with updated skills? 

While it is feasible to switch out current staff with new ones that have the skills you desire, it is not the most effective. Finding and hiring people takes time, is effort-intensive, and costly. 

Upskilling and reskilling obsolete employees to transfer into different positions, on the other hand, can be a great alternative.

What Is Upskilling and Reskilling?

First, let’s get some definitions out of the way.

Upskilling is the process of adding to an existing skill set within a current role (e.g., training a currently employed software engineer in a new programming language).

Reskilling is learning new skills needed to do an entirely different job (e.g., switching from graphic design to software development).

Why Is Upskilling and Reskilling Important In 2023?

In the ultra-competitive modern marketplace, companies must constantly update their offerings to stay relevant and gain a competitive edge. Keeping your employees’ training up-to-date and on par with current market offerings is an essential part of this process. It’s increasingly important as AI and Machine Learning technologies, eliminating basic tasks and resulting in a steep gap between workers’ skills and the opportunities available to them.

These trends are backed up by the numbers as well. As per the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, by 2024, “44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years” due to AI and automation, and “6 in 10 workers will require training before 2027” to maintain their current employment. What’s more, approximately 90% of managers and executives who participated in a McKinsey survey agreed their organizations either already faced a skills gap or expected gaps by 2024. It’s clear that if a company isn’t thinking about how they’ll upskill and reskill their employees in the coming years, they’re already behind. 

Retraining and upskilling employees to prepare them for the future is no longer a “nice to have” option, it is now a necessity. 

How Do Upskilling and Reskilling Save Money?

Investing in the upskilling and reskilling of current employees, as opposed to simply laying off large swaths of your workforce and hiring new workers, has various tangible benefits:

Reduce Training and Recruitment Costs

When recruiting employees with a new skill set, you’ll also have to bear associated costs — interviewing, hiring, background checks, onboarding, process training, etc. And, for employees with niche skillsets in highly desirable technologies, you may end up paying top dollar to outbid other companies for talent.

Retraining your current workforce with new skills can help save on the costs associated with new hires. What’s more, current employees are already well-trained in your organization’s processes and policies so they can hit the ground running with their new skills or in their upgraded role, no onboarding required.

Retain Knowledge and Talent

The technological landscape will continue evolving, with new tech adopted every few years and a high value put on talent with up-to-date skillsets. But, in comparison, your tenured employees with years or even decades of accumulated knowledge about your company’s product and processes verge on priceless. 

Upskilling and reskilling employees ensure that your company’s offerings keep pace with changing trends while retaining your top talent. 

If you don’t invest in training, these employees may update their skills themselves and find another employer. You’ll have to look for new talent and bear associated hiring costs to replace them, not to mention the invaluable knowledge and experience they take with them. Invest in your loyal employees, and your company will continue to evolve and keep up with market trends. 

Build An Adaptable, Future-Ready Workforce

Cross-trained employees with diverse knowledge in multiple areas are a significant asset to any organization. 

They offer better insights and can weigh in on multiple areas to enable the business to function more efficiently. With multiple skill sets, upskilled and reskilled employees can be leveraged across projects, teams, and departments. And, having already been retrained once, they can adapt to other new technologies as they come. 

Upskilling and Reskilling Your Employees With Flatiron School

Flatiron School offers a range of programs to address different upskilling and reskilling needs. For companies that need to quickly adapt to Artificial Intelligence, we have AI training programs that teach teams cutting-edge tech skills. We also offer discipline-specific programs in Software Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Product Design. 

No matter your industry or offering, employee skill gaps in these areas can be addressed and resolved with our enterprise offerings.

AI Training Programs

Detecting Cyber Threats With AI

This program prepares Cybersecurity Analysts to apply AI techniques in detecting and mitigating Cybersecurity threats. This four-hour program also covers NLP in threat intelligence as well as uncovering hidden patterns with machine learning. Learners will cover:

  • The Power of AI in Threat Intelligence
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Uncovering Hidden Patterns With Machine Learning
  • Protecting Against Emerging Threats

Prompt Engineering Basics

This program gives learners with minimal programming experience the skills needed to develop prompt-based AI applications. After eight hours, learners will have a deep understanding on how to get effective results from generative AI tools. Learners will cover:

  • Intro to Prompt Engineering With ChatGPT
  • Writing Powerful Prompts
  • Quality Control & Testing Of Existing Prompts
  • Understanding the Limits of Prompt Engineering
  • Automating Prompt Engineering Solutions
  • Ethical Considerations in Prompt Engineering

Build and Deploy AI Applications

This advanced program is for mid-level Software Engineers with a high-level understanding of AI to develop innovative AI-focused skills. This 40-hour program also covers deep learning and natural language processing. Learners will cover:

  • Foundations: The AI Development Pipeline
  • Data Collection & Model Development
  • Deep Learning & Natural Language Processing
  • Deploying An AI Application

AI Strategy for Business Leaders

This program arms non-technical leaders with the basic knowledge they need to leverage AI when making key business decisions. During the 12-hour program, leaders will hear use cases in their functional areas as well as learn how to create persuasive presentations when advocating for AI throughout their departments. Learners will cover:

  • The AI Landscape Unpacked
  • AI In Action: Real-World Examples
  • Crafting A Winning AI Strategy
  • Articulating The AI Advantage

Discipline-Specific Training Programs

Software Engineering

After completing Flatiron School’s Software Engineering course, learners will be ready to build software for websites and apps. They’ll learn about:

  • Front-end development
  • Front-end web applications
  • Back-end development
  • Back-end web application programming interfaces (APIs)

Possible career paths: Full Stack Developer, Web Developer, Software Engineer, and Prompt Engineer.

Data Science

The Flatiron School’s Data Science curriculum teaches learners to master the art of data analysis. They’ll discover how to use data to answer questions and make actionable insights. They’ll learn about:

  • Data analysis and engineering
  • Scientific computing and quantitative methods
  • Machine learning fundamentals
  • Advanced machine learning

Possible career paths: Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, AI Engineer, and Data Scientist.

Cybersecurity

In this course, your employees will learn how to protect enterprise, client, and employee data from getting stolen, hacked, leaked, or damaged. They’ll learn about:

  • Network security
  • System security
  • Python scripting techniques
  • Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC)
  • Logs and detection
  • Threat intelligence
  • Application security
  • Applied cryptography

Possible career paths: Cyber Engineer, Penetration Tester, Security Analyst, and Security Consultant.

UX/UI Product Design

In this course, learners will gain a foundation in design while focusing on how users interact with technology, how to improve brand messaging, and enhance customer loyalty. They’ll learn about:

  • The user experience (UX) process — Ethical and inclusive design, foundational research, and ideation and innovation
  • The user interface (UI) process — Elements of visual composition, typography and color, and interaction and animation
  • Product design framework, usability testing, and UI kit development for developers
  • Micro-interactions, data visualization, and communication

Possible career paths: Product Designer, UX Designer, UX Researcher, Web Designer, and UI Designer.

Get Started With Flatiron School

If you’re considering a custom solution to meet your upskilling and reskilling needs, consider the following questions:

  1. What key skill gaps do you want to address?
  2. How many learners will go through the training?
  3. What is your learners’ existing skill level?
  4. Which competencies and outcomes would you like to achieve?
  5. What are the desired program modality and delivery structure? (In-person vs. virtual, part-time vs. full-time, start and end dates, etc.)

Flatiron School’s Enterprise team works with your company to identify skills gaps and build a program tailored to your goals. With Flatiron School, your employees will develop in-demand skills to keep your company on the competitive edge and take charge of their careers at the same time. 

To learn more about a standard offering, or to get a custom training solution for your organization, contact Flatiron School today.

Anthony Ofoegbu: Amazon Career Choice 2021

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Anthony Ofoegbu, an October 2021 graduate of the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity Engineering program, had a two-decade career in Nigeria before emigrating to the United States.

He shares his journey of immigrating to the USA and finding his way to Cybersecurity Engineering below.

A Nigerian Origin Story

Anthony spent his formative years in Nigeria. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Literary Studies, citing his desire to work in several liberal arts fields. 

“I wanted to do several things which include authoring books, bank work, teaching, journalism, and public speaking.”

Over the next two decades, he worked in public relations, corporate communications, business management, and sales. In early 2019, he relocated to America and found work at Amazon as a Fulfillment Center Associate. It was there that he learned about the Amazon Career Choice Program. The program gives Amazon employees the opportunity to receive technical training from partner institutions to pursue higher-paying career paths. Anthony cites his wife as being his main motivation for joining the Cybersecurity training program. 

“She was clear about going into cybersecurity and since I had worked with tech companies back home I decided to give it a try.”

His Bootcamp Experience

Anthony was accepted into the Amazon Career Choice program and matriculated with a cohort of fellow students from Amazon. The program ran for 32 weeks from February through October with the curriculum delivered online via live lectures. While unsure of what the program would entail, Anthony said he was optimistic after completing the required prework material.

“I did not know what to expect but I was excited especially after passing the pre-program training and studying about hypervisors and virtual machines.”

Students completed about 15 hours of classwork each week while working full-time, a challenge in time management for anybody, but Anthony adapted and took advantage of his program’s resources. 

“There were great teachers, great office hours, and great coursemates as well,” he said. “Teamwork and my personal commitment contributed to my success [in the program].”

He recalled finding Python Programming and IP Address Configuration challenging but had a positive experience overall. 

“I loved every part of the program but System Admin, Wireshark, Hunt, GRC, and SIEM were my favorite.” 

Job Search Journey

Anthony graduated from the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity program in October 2021 after completing 480 curriculum hours over 9 months. He began his job search shortly after graduation, supported by his dedicated Flatiron School career coach. 

“[My career] coach helped me build my resume, reviewed it, and taught me step-by-step job search techniques.” 

He also took advantage of job fairs hosted by Flatiron School to gain exposure to hiring companies. 

“We were able to meet employers and many of us were employed right away immediately after graduation.”

Ultimately, Anthony accepted a role as an Associate Business Analyst at Infosys, based in Los Angeles, California. 

Reflecting On His Journey

Fast forward to 2023, Anthony is enjoying his new job and pursuing a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity from the University of San Diego. Looking back, he values the hands-on nature of the technical education he received as part of the Amazon Career Choice program.

“[This] is a great place to start because you learn exactly what you are supposed to be doing in your daily office work.” 

His advice for other students looking to transition careers is to embrace the hard work needed to reach a goal.

“You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it and work towards it.”

Flatiron School Retraining Programs

Amazon’s Career Choice offers eligible Amazon employees the opportunity to pivot careers into higher-paying jobs through retraining. 

The program was created as a way to attract top talent as well as improve employee engagement and retention. 

Following the initial cohort’s success, Amazon again selected Flatiron School to deliver Career Choice programs in 2023. 

Contact us to learn how a Flatiron School retraining program can attract and retain top talent at your organization.

Flatiron School Launches New Artificial Intelligence Training Programs

Posted on by Sara Keith

Today we’re excited to announce our new portfolio of artificial intelligence (AI) training programs, designed to empower workforces with the expertise required to leverage powerful, emerging AI tools.

We’re leading the way with our new AI training programs, building on our track record of high quality training that meets the industry’s evolving needs. The programs are all instructor-led for optimal learning experience and cover topics such as machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and data science.

“Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving and for organizations across the globe it’s now a necessity to stay competitive. Through engaging lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on labs, learners will discover how to implement AI-driven solutions that have the potential to revolutionize their businesses,” said Pete Barth, Chief Product Officer.

Program Overview

Our new programs are designed based on feedback from Fortune 100 organizations and provide fluency as well as the latest AI skills to technical and non-technical learners alike. All programs can be tailored to fit the needs of any organization, such as incorporating specific industry examples, in-person or online instruction, and more immersive offerings. New programs include:

  • Detecting Cybersecurity Threats With AI. Learn how to protect and mitigate against emerging threats created by AI products. This four-hour program also covers NLP in threat intelligence as well as uncovering hidden patterns with machine learning.
  • Prompt Engineering Basics. Discover how to design, evaluate, and refine prompt solutions for ChatGPT. After eight hours, learners will have a deep understanding on how to get effective results from generative AI tools.
  • Build & Deploy AI Applications. Build and deploy an AI application, including data preprocessing, model development, and deployment. This 40-hour program also covers deep learning and natural language processing.
  • AI Strategy for Business Leaders. Develop a baseline understanding of the concepts needed to move organizations towards AI adoption. During the 12-hour program, leaders will hear use cases in their functional areas as well as learn how to create persuasive presentations when advocating for AI throughout their departments.

“AI is transforming how organizations operate and provide services to their clients, creating the way for new opportunities and growth,” said Nancy Ziser, EVP Enterprise Partnerships.  “Our new training programs will quickly give organizations the latest, cutting edge skills needed to thrive in the evolving AI landscape.” 

To learn more about our Enterprise AI programs, please click here. 

Tyler Luckewicz: Amazon Career Choice 2021

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Tyler Luckewicz, an October 2021 graduate of the Amazon Career Choice Software Engineering program, began in the business side of tech before pivoting into a hands-on role.

He shares his journey to Software Engineering below.

Beginning In Business IT

Tyler graduated from Virginia Tech in 2015 with a degree in Business IT. He cited an early interest in tech as the reason he chose the program.

“I played video games from a young age. The idea of learning how to code and creating a game always appealed to me,” he said. “While in school I took some programming classes and enjoyed them. It was intimidating and complex yet at the same time incredibly satisfying when a concept clicked and you could get a program to do what you wanted.”

Despite his interest in technology driving his initial career path choice, Tyler did not enjoy his first post-university job. 

“I was working as a Business Analyst for KPMG. But I felt like I was not adding much value,” he explained. “I was mainly focused on documentation but worked closely with software developers who I saw as building real things of value that others would see and use.”

Pursuing A Tech Path

After realizing that he wanted to do something different with his career, Tyler quit his Business Analyst role and went to work for Amazon as a Warehouse Associate. 

“I eventually moved into a role in the IT department at Amazon. I enjoyed this new job and the skills I needed to learn. It was a step in the right direction but I still felt there was another path I wanted to pursue.”

Tyler didn’t have to look far for that next path. In fact, he’d wanted to pursue it all along. 

“Software Engineering was always in the back of my mind [but] I knew I had to acquire more hard skills,” he said. “I figured if I was going to put in a lot of extra time to study and learn, it might as well be towards something I was more passionate about.”

Applying To Amazon Career Choice

After deciding to pursue Software Engineering, Tyler began to self-study using online resources. Then one day, he spotted a flier on the outside of his workplace’s building. 

“It was for the Amazon Career Choice program which would pay for employees to pursue a career in a new field,” he recalled. “One of the partnerships highlighted was with Flatiron School for Software Engineering.”

Tyler looked into the curriculum Flatiron School taught and felt like it was the logical next step for him.

“It was everything that I was currently learning plus so much more,” he said. “Being a completely self-taught developer is possible but this seemed like just the thing I needed to push me to the next level and give me the confidence that I could break into this field and write code professionally.”

His Program Experience

Tyler was accepted into the Amazon Career Choice program and matriculated with a cohort of fellow students from Amazon. The program ran for 32 weeks from February through October with the curriculum delivered online via live lectures. Students completed about 15 hours a week of classwork while continuing to work full-time. 

“The level of commitment required [was challenging]. Every single week required a huge amount of time and effort,” Tyler remembered. “You could not afford to take time off. The nature of the material we were learning meant that if you fell behind it was very difficult to catch up. It was so worth it but anyone thinking about joining the course needs to be ready for a big commitment.”

Despite the pressure of learning Software Engineering at an accelerated pace while continuing to work, Tyler found the course’s structure and his cohort’s camaraderie refreshing. 

“Studying programming on my own was isolating, trying to figure out all the different technologies and how they worked together,” he said. “Having an organized structure, with a class of peers all going through the same thing, and instructors there to guide us and answer questions was an amazing experience.”

When comparing his time in the Amazon Career Choice program to his efforts in teaching himself the material, for Tyler there is no comparison. 

“[It]was on another level that really pushed me and got me so much further along. I truly believe that no one could gain the same amount of experience and put in the same amount of effort by studying on their own. You can learn on your own but it will not compete [with this program]!”

First Job In Tech

Tyler graduated from the Amazon Career Choice Software Engineering program in October 2021 after completing 480 curriculum hours. While most of his classmates jumped into the job search at that point, Tyler was in a unique position – he’d already accepted a job offer. 

“I had kept in touch with a friend from college who worked as a Software Developer,” he explained. “I told him about what I was learning and working on. He said it would be great if an opportunity came up and I could work with him and his team. It ended up working out and I was offered a job with his company before I finished the program.”

When we talked with him in April 2023, Tyler was still in the role, working as a Software Engineer at the pharmaceutical consulting company IQVIA. 

“I love my new career. I still can’t believe that I actually get to solve problems and write code for a living. I’m currently working on an application that tracks lab results for patients who are participating in clinical trials to help develop new drugs.” 

As for whether the dream lives up to reality and the journey was worth the destination? Tyler’s answer is a resounding yes. 

“I still pinch myself sometimes when I am solving a problem or writing code and think to myself ‘this is what I get paid to do now’! It’s an incredible feeling and one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my life.”

Reflecting On The Journey

Looking back at where he began, Tyler emphasizes the value of committing to the path you want to be on.

“It is amazing what you can accomplish when you fully commit and jump into something 100%.”

He’s also become an advocate for others looking to break into tech to pursue an accelerated bootcamp program, like the one he participated in.

“To anyone who has an interest in becoming a Software Engineer and does not want to go to school for four years to get a degree, there is absolutely no better way to break into the industry than going through this program. It will push you further than you could ever go on your own and will build the experience and confidence that you can do this at the professional level.”

As for his advice to other students, his advice is to prioritize planning your time.

“This is a demanding program but building a routine of when you do your work is critical to success. If you give this your full attention you will be amazed at what you have learned and accomplished when you come out the other side. It will literally change the rest of your life.”

Flatiron School Retraining Programs

Amazon’s Career Choice offers eligible Amazon employees the opportunity to pivot careers into higher-paying jobs through retraining. The program was created as a way to attract top talent as well as improve employee engagement and retention. 

Following the initial cohort’s success, Amazon again selected Flatiron School to deliver Career Choice programs in 2023.

Dane Brown: Amazon Career Choice 2021

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Dane Brown, a 2021 graduate from the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity Analytics program, was working as an Amazon Warehouse Associate when he took advantage of the opportunity to pivot into Cybersecurity. 

He shares his winding journey into tech below.

A Collection Of Careers

Dane spent the first decade of his career working in a variety of fields including retail, mental health, security, and nursing home housekeeping. 

“I chose those fields just so I could afford to buy my own stuff, and pay bills,” he said. “But I wanted to do something that paid more and would be fulfilling.”

While unsure of what exactly that field would be, Dane felt drawn toward a career in technology based on an early affinity. 

“I’ve had an obsession with video games and computers since I was 3,” he recalled.  “I’ve always been fascinated by the seemingly limitless applications of tech, the convenience it brings, and how fun it is to learn about.”

It was while working as a Warehouse Associate at Amazon in 2021 that an opportunity to break into the industry presented itself. Dane applied to the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity Analytics program and was accepted. 

“I knew that this program would allow me to expand my tech knowledge, challenge myself, and have a new way to help others,” he said. “And I had heard years ago that Flatiron was one of the best tech schools in the industry.”

His Program Experience

The Amazon Career Choice program Dane participated in ran for 32 weeks from February through October. The curriculum was delivered online via live lectures. Students completed about 15 hours a week of classwork while continuing to work full-time. 

“It was challenging ensuring that my assignments were completed on time, and making it to all of the live lectures,” Dane said. “Thankfully my instructors and faculty were patient, kind, and informative, plus my cohort loved helping each other. We never left people behind!”

Despite the time pressures of tackling an education while continuing to work, Dane persevered throughout the course and found that he enjoyed the material.

“My favorite part of the program was learning about a wide range of Computer Science & Cybersecurity concepts [and] engaging my classmates and instructors in the community,” he said. “Also, I loved the System Administration class because I learned how to set up an organization’s computer systems from the ground up!”

Dane graduated from the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity Analytics program in October 2021, after completing 480 curriculum hours. 

Jumping Into The Job Search

With his new Cybersecurity skills, Dane began looking for the right opportunity while continuing to work at Amazon. Unfortunately, at first, he had difficulty finding the right fit. 

“My job search was brutal,” he recalled. “Most companies didn’t give me a response or interview when I first started applying for positions.”

But through working with his Career Coach, he refined his strategy and started to make headway.  

“Flatiron has one of the best Career Development and job search programs I’ve ever seen,” he said. “My career coach gave me great pointers on how to refine my resume which set me up for success.”

Reflecting On His Journey

Two years on from his graduation, Dane is working in Cybersecurity and supporting organizations he is passionate about. 

“I’m extremely proud to say that I provided IT/Cybersecurity services on behalf of two organizations – Zinc Collective’s DigiDems, and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, which supported the successful elections of Lieutenant Governor-elect Austin Davis, Senator John Fetterman, and Governor-elect Josh Shapiro!”

Looking back at his journey, Dane’s main takeaway from the experience is a positive one.

“Always be kind, and never be afraid to ask for or receive help.”

Dane’s advice for students is similar, emphasizing the importance of kindness and camaraderie. 

“Always carry yourself with humility and grace, think before you speak, and manage your time wisely,” he advised. “Always offer to help others, and don’t be afraid to ask for help whenever you need it. I’m rooting for all of you, so never give up!” 

Flatiron School Retraining Programs

Amazon’s Career Choice offers eligible Amazon employees the opportunity to pivot careers into higher-paying jobs through retraining. 

The program was created as a way to attract top talent as well as improve employee engagement and retention. 

Following the initial cohort’s success, Amazon again selected Flatiron School to deliver Career Choice programs in 2023. 

Contact us to learn how a Flatiron School retraining program can attract and retain top talent at your organization.

Why Financial Services Should Invest In Their Employees

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Most financial services know that training is important. Whether training is optional or compulsory, most of their employees have gone through at least one course of training. 

The downfall, however, is that many companies consider it as secondary to primary business operations. They think of it as something they just have to do, instead of an opportunity to invest in their employees and the company’s future growth. In reality, training is critical to the profitability and growth of the company.

Here’s why when you invest in your employees, you reap the greatest reward.

Skills Quickly Become Obsolete

The primary reason financial services should invest in regular employee training is that skills are becoming obsolete at a faster rate than ever before. 

Research has found that skills have a “shelf life” of about 5 years. This is cut in half for technical skills, with obsolescence at just 2.5 years. This ever-shortening shelf life of technical skills requires consistent re-skilling to keep employees’ abilities relevant and useful. 

Unfortunately, many companies are already behind. According to McKinsey & Company, 87% of companies worldwide admit to having a skills gap in their workforce or anticipate one in the next few years. These industry-leading organizations are already playing catchup. 

More Jobs But Fewer Workers

Today’s market is highly competitive, with each business endeavoring to develop the next world-changing innovation. These innovations, however, cannot be made by the company itself. They must be made by the bright minds working there. 

As a result, the stakes to attract and retain top talent are high. 

But, due in part to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, workers have become more selective about the jobs they take. Even while companies are expanding their technical departments, they have to work harder to attract top talent to fill open roles. 

Rising Hiring Costs

With a skill gap on teams, and the need to hire more, many companies put more effort into hiring. But, rising hiring costs are putting a limit on the lengths companies can or will go to bring talent in the door. 

The Society for Human Resource Management states that the average cost to hire an employee is $4,129, with around 42 days to fill a position. According to Glassdoor, the average company in the United States spends about $4,000 to hire a new employee, taking up to 52 days to fill a position.

In addition, the cost of replacing an individual employee can range from one-half to two times the employee’s annual salary.

With such high costs associated with bringing in new employees, companies are turning to training to close skills gaps on their team, no hiring required. 

Invest In The Right Training

The benefits of investing in training employees are clear – closed skill gaps, retained workforce, and eliminated hiring costs. 

But, just as important as executing training, is choosing the right provider with programs that will satisfy your business needs. Choose carefully to reap the greatest reward. 

Here’s what to consider when getting started.

Diversify Training

Leading upskilling practices recommend incorporating both digital and soft skills into training to help finance employees influence decision-making. Don’t focus only on growing technical expertise, use training opportunities to grow employees into well-rounded team members. 

Select The Right Provider

When picking a training provider, it’s important to make a decision based on the factors important to your business. This could be specific software or languages offered, schedule flexibility, program length, in-person or remote delivery options, or customization options. 
Picking a provider with a track record of success working with companies like yours can also make the difference between an experience that’s just okay, and one that builds your employees into star performers.

Celebrate Achievement

Most importantly, recognize and celebrate your employees’ educational achievements. Learning something new can be difficult, and recognizing even incremental improvements and celebrating upskilling achievements can add up to big cultural change.

Training Programs Made For Financial Services

When you invest in your employees, you invest in your company too. Why not invest in the best? 

Let Flatiron School modernize your business with industry-tailored training programs in Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering, and Product Design.

Contact us to get started.


Rocket Software: Building a community of innovation

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

Rocket Software is a software development firm that specializes in the creation of custom-tailored IT solutions for infrastructure, data, and applications. 

Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Rocket Software began with humble origins in 1990 – no more than two software engineers in a garage with a dream. Fast forward to 2022, the organization now has more than 2,600 employees globally. 

According to Tara Gallone, VP of Talent at Rocket Software, the company’s commitment to diversity and living its core values is what attracts and retains high-performing employees.

Core Values

When we spoke with Gallone earlier this year, she highlighted the impact of each employee living Rocket Software’s core values.

“Our core values are empathy, humanity, trust, and love. We have a people-first culture where our Rocketeers are cared for, invested in, supported, and find belonging. By offering flexibility, benefits, personal growth opportunities, and deep connections which sets us apart, we are committed to the well-being of Rocketeers. We want our people to be the very best they can be at work and home. These are not just words- this is who we are.”

Commitment To Diversity

With several thousand employees spanning multiple continents, Gallone referenced Rocket Software’s commitment to diversity and inclusion as a key driver of the organization’s success.

“As a global organization, diversity is what makes us thrive. At Rocket, diversity, equity and inclusion are business imperatives. We are committed to providing access to opportunities to everyone, including those who belong to historically excluded groups, a place where each Rocketeer knows that their unique contribution is valued and where you can show up as your authentic self. Diversity provides richness in the experience of our Rocketeers and challenges us to think differently about how to work together and innovate.”

As of mid-2022, Rocket Software has hired three Flatiron School graduates – Jillian Short, Oscar Oré, and Seth Blanchard – each of whom has nothing but good things to say about their experience as “Rocketeers”.

Jillian Short, May 2021 Software Engineering Graduate

Jillian Short’s background is in the arts, and she has a packed resume to prove it. 

“I started in theatre as a stage manager and worked as a production assistant for small film projects and music venues. I was also a barista at a high-end coffee house (we’re talking real coffee pros here), and a bartender for a couple of years. Then I moved into an executive assistant role. I’ve done lots of different things in life.”

But, like many others – particularly those whose livelihood depended on the arts – Jillian’s varied sources of income dried up. 

“When the pandemic hit, live events weren’t happening, and my executive assistant job was wearing on me pretty intensely. I took a trip with my partner to visit his family, and his sibling recommended giving coding a try.”

She dipped her toes into coding with some online courses, then committed to Flatiron School’s Software Engineering program, citing the desire to pursue something that was both meaningful and profitable. 

“The hope was to find a remote job that was more fulfilling, paid what I knew I was worth making and had more security (30 is right around the corner and I’d love to buy a house and be able to retire someday!)”

Her Experience Working At Rocket Software

Jillian was hired as an Associate Customer Solutions Engineer at Rocket Software in June 2022. When asked how she was liking it, she had only good things to report.

“I love [working at Rocket]! I love the team I’m on, being able to work remotely, and the learning opportunities. It’s been a great transition and I couldn’t be more grateful that I found some courage and just went for it.”

As for the reality of working as a software engineer, the day-to-day has been better than the dream.

“[Software engineering is] way more fun than I thought it would be, honestly. I have a handful of friends who work as engineers in varying capacities, and they also loved their jobs, but I wasn’t sure if I would feel the same way. I’m happy to report that it’s been two months and I’m still having a great time.”

As to what she’s working on, Jillian couldn’t share too many details, except for the fact that it was engaging and fulfilling – just as she’d hoped it would be when she began her software engineering journey with Flatiron School.

“The project I get to work on at Rocket is pretty incredible when I think about everything it does. I’m not allowed to give away the details, but the tool we use for our coding always presents interesting challenges and keeps me on my toes! The great thing about it is it isn’t like any open-source language out there. It’s kind of like working in our own little world. Although I do miss the ability to turn to Google for help!”

Advice For Current Students

Looking back on her experience at Flatiron School now that she’s in industry, Jillian had specific advice for other students looking to follow her path. 

“Pair program all the time. Talk through your code always. I’m terrible at talking through code and it’s because I didn’t say what I was doing out loud enough. Network more than you think you need to. In the end, that’s probably what will give you the job.”

Jillian also struggled with imposter syndrome while at Flatiron School and in the early months at Rocket Software. But, she advised, it’s important to push through those feelings and trust in your abilities. 

“I struggled with imposter syndrome endlessly while I was attending Flatiron, and especially when I started my job search. I never felt like I could really be good enough to do this professionally, but here I am!”

Oscar Oré, 2021 Software Engineering Graduate

Oscar Oré has held tech-adjacent positions across several industries, but a life-long interest in tech eventually brought him to Flatiron School. 

“Before I attended Flatiron, I was a Sales rep. I was involved in many industries from Manufacturing to tech. I always had an interest in tech and it was when I worked for an IT reseller that sparked my curiosity to learn how to code. I did a ton of research before I joined Flatiron. After a ton of positive reviews and outcomes, I decided to enroll in the program. What I wanted to accomplish after my time in Flatiron was to land a programming role in Tech!” 

His Experience Working At Rocket Software

Oscar graduated in 2021 and was hired as an Associate Customer Solutions Engineer at Rocket Software in February 2022. Since joining the company, he’s enjoyed his experience and hopes to grow with Rocket Software.

“I love working for Rocket Software! During my job search, I wanted to choose a company that truly cared about my career growth, and I felt that since day one as a Rocketeer!”

As for transferring from sales into a technical role, the skills Oscar developed in previous positions have not gone to waste. 

“[Working at Rocket Software] has been a dream come true! One thing that has stood out to me is how the soft skills that I learned in my previous career have helped me in my current role. Communication is key when you are working on a team!” 

Oscar’s decision to join Rocket Software was influenced by his desire for career growth, and his projects there have allowed him to develop new skills. 

“In my time at Rocket Software, I have been assigned to two ongoing projects for one of our clients involving their mainframes and process automation. The experience has been great and I have gained a ton of knowledge from these projects!”

Advice For Current Students

Oscar’s advice to his past self on his new role is one of optimism and excitement. 

“Remain curious in your new role! You can always learn something new to add to your technical skills and will probably be introduced to something completely new. Embrace the challenge!”

His advice for current Flatiron School students, is similarly uplifting and encouraging, with a reminder to treat the job search like a job.

“Network as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Believe in yourself and remember to keep learning. Reach out to other Flatiron Alumni to see how they are liking their role, and how they approached their job hunt!”

Seth Blanchard, August 2021 Software Engineering Graduate

Before attending Flatiron School’s Software Engineering program, Seth Blanchard spent more than a decade in social services. 

“I have a background in Social Work and spent the bulk of the last 15 years working for myself.  I contracted with various local social services agencies within central VA and the focus of my efforts was working with families to locate employment, housing, benefits, transportation, daycare, etc.”

Unfortunately, his self-employed career was severely impacted by the pandemic. With contracts drying up, Seth decided to pivot his career toward tech.

“I have always had an affinity for building things and gravitated towards software development. When work slowed, I felt it was a great time to make a change. I chose Flatiron because it had a good reputation. I hoped to get the development skills as well as a [certificate] which I felt would increase my chance of success in a total career switch.” 

His Experience Working At Rocket Software

Seth graduated from Flatiron School in August 2021 and was hired as an
Associate Customer Solutions Engineer at Rocket Software in February 2022. Since being hired, Seth has enjoyed his new position and the opportunities it brings.

“I am working with mainframes, particularly the IBMz and process automation, which is not something I had anticipated. The work is quite different from current trends in software development, but I have enjoyed the challenge.”

Advice For Current Students

Seth’s advice for other Flatiron School students approaching the job search is practical and realistic.

“Start the informal job search earlier than you think you should. That part can take a while and having a certification isn’t necessarily an automatic door-opener. You will have to do a great deal of work to differentiate yourself.”

Why Does Rocket Software Hire Flatiron School Graduates?

Since hiring three Flatiron School graduates in early 2022, Rocket Software is eager to hire more. 

“The graduates have real-world work experience and are coming in with some professional skills,” Tara Gallone, VP of Talent, explained. “Also, Flatiron has a diverse student population which is important to [us].”

Why Should Students Look To Rocket Software As A Great Place To Work?

Rocket Software received a “Great Place To Work” certification in June 2022, and hopes to attract more students from Flatiron School with their commitment to employee growth. 

“At Rocket, growth and innovation are central to all we do. That’s why we give Rocketeers ample opportunity to pursue the next big idea, even if it doesn’t fall within their job description.”

The company also has additional opportunities, outside of normal day-to-day operations, for employees to build their skills.

“‘The annual Rocket Build hackathon allows Rocketeers to go beyond the day-to-day and challenge themselves to create solutions that improve our world. What started as a small internal hackathon has grown to include Rocketeers and our entire customer, partner, and student ecosystem.”

Interested In Working At Rocket Software?

Rocket Software has employment opportunities in Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, Sales, Test Automation, and Technical Support. 

For more information, visit the Rocket Software career site to see current openings and apply.

About Rocket Software

Rocket Software partners with the largest Fortune 1000 organizations to solve their most complex IT challenges across Applications, Data, and Infrastructure. Rocket Software brings customers from where they are in their modernization journey to where they want to be by architecting innovative solutions that deliver next-generation experiences. Over 10 million global IT and business professionals trust Rocket Software to deliver solutions that improve responsiveness to change and optimize workloads. Rocket Software enables organizations to modernize in place with a hybrid cloud strategy to protect investment, decrease risk and reduce time to value.

7 Reasons to Outsource Your Technology Training

Posted on by Anna Van Deusen

The most valuable resource any company has is its employees. No matter how good a product is offered, or how prime a market is, if the right teams are not in place with the correct skills to perform, then all efforts will be in vain. 

For a business to succeed, it must invest in its employees to keep their skills up to date.

When those investments are in the form of technology training, both employees and employers benefit. Workers gain skills that improve their career prospects, and the business gains employees who are knowledgeable in specific areas with the most, and often hardest-to-fill, needs.

Not All Technology Training is Created Equal

Unfortunately, internal training efforts can sometimes miss the mark. 

In a Capgemini and LinkedIn survey, 52% of tech employees said their company’s training programs didn’t help them gain new skills, and 42% went so far as to call them “useless and boring.” 

For technical training to be successful, training must be targeted, specific, and engaging. Developing internal training programs that often miss the mark wastes the time of both the instructors and student employees, leading to frustration on both sides and potentially negatively impacting retention. 

A better alternative is outsourcing employee training to a training institute that specializes in and is an expert at teaching technical skills. For companies unsure of utilizing an outside training provider, here are 7 reasons to consider:

1. Internal experts don’t have the skills or time for training

When you want employees to learn the valuable skills other employees already have, a seemingly obvious solution is to have your expert employees teach their peers. But that’s an option that presents a couple of significant issues.

First, those employees with valuable skills would have to take time away from their primary work to spend time teaching. The days (or more likely, weeks) they spend in developing a training program and implementing it means the time the company is losing that person’s output—the precise work you’ve deemed important enough to teach others. That comes at a high cost.

The second issue is at least as serious — the employee that’s awesome at a particular tech skill is not necessarily awesome at teaching it. Teaching requires an entirely different skill set than data science, cybersecurity, or software engineering. If you take some of your most valuable employees away from their main work to do training and they’re terrible at it, you’ll spend their time, the trainees’ time, and the company’s money, all to end up with nothing to show for it.

2. You can find trainers with the specific expertise you need

Chances are, there are multiple tech skills you want to teach your employees. If you were to try to hire one person full-time to handle your company’s technology training, you’d have a hard time finding someone who has all the different competencies needed to cover all those topics.

By contrast, when you outsource your training to a technical education provider, you can choose the specific types of experts you need to handle each training course or session. And if teaching technology is what they do as their primary job, instructors will have both the teaching skills needed and the specific tech knowledge to upskill employees.

3. Professional tech trainers will have up-to-date knowledge

Part of why providing tech skills training is so important is how fast tech skills go out of date. If a cybersecurity expert you hired five years ago did nothing to learn about new threats, it wouldn’t bode well for your company’s security.

An organization that teaches tech skills professionally will treat it as part of the job to stay on top of the trends and changes in the industry. If you find a good training provider, you won’t have to worry about them teaching your employees information that’s already outdated.

4. A good provider can customize their training to your needs

One of your alternative options for employee technology training is to license pre-created materials to provide your employees. That will cost you less than hiring a skilled instructor to provide the training, but the materials you get will be generic. They may not cover the precise skills you want your employees to gain, and definitely won’t address how putting those skills to use at your company will look. Static materials also can’t respond to the particular learning styles of your employees.

An experienced instructor can work with you to create a training course or session based on your specific needs and make sure the material is tailored to your company. And part of being a good teacher is being able to respond to individual students and provide the personalized attention and instruction they need. You’ll only get that from a trainer that brings teaching skills to the table.

That company has already done the work of hiring and vetting skilled trainers. Your job is simply to find the company you want to hire, interview them to make sure they’re qualified to provide the kind of training you need, then work out the details of your contract. A company that’s well-versed in providing this kind of service will have an onboarding process in place to make getting started easy.

5. The hiring process is simpler

Organizations that focus on tech training have developed teaching materials that they know work because they’ve had time to test them out with students. And if the training you hire them for is similar to courses they’ve taught before, they won’t have to start from scratch in creating training materials. They can pull from what they’ve already created, which can mean getting started faster.

Hiring trainers that teach tech skills professionally as their main job means that you get all the benefits of their experience. Anyone who’s spent years teaching students becomes an expert in figuring out the teaching tactics that work best for different types of learning styles.

6. Tech training experts will have proven tactics and materials

In comparison, hiring a company that offers technology training as a service means you only pay for what you need, whether that’s one session a year or regular courses. Since the teacher in charge of the training is employed by a third-party company, things like taxes and benefits aren’t your responsibility, and you can leverage the programs and trainers only when you need them.

Hiring a full-time employee to handle your technology training means paying for their salary year-round, covering health insurance costs, employee taxes, and benefits like paid time off. It’s not cheap—especially if you want someone good at what they do.

7. Outsourcing can cost (a lot) less than hiring full-time employees

Last but certainly not least, hiring new employees to fill existing skill gaps on your technical teams is expensive. Posting job descriptions, conducting interviews, onboarding costs, and yearly salaries and benefits add up quickly. 

By investing in your current employees, you minimize these additional costs associated with new hires and retain loyal top performers with priceless experience.

Get Started Training Your Employees

If you’re committed to investing in your employees with outsourced technical training, be sure to choose a provider that is experienced in your needed skillsets, and has the results to prove it.

To make sure your employees gain valuable tech skills, hire a company that:

  • Can provide trainers with specialized tech knowledge and teaching skills
  • Utilizes an industry-leading curriculum that teaches relevant and up-to-date skills
  • Can customize training or courses based on organization-specific needs
  • Have proof and results available of successful training and previous partnerships

If you’re wondering where to find a provider that meets all the above criteria, look no further than Flatiron School.

With tech training solutions that cover just about any need – whether that’s upskilling and reskilling existing talent or sourcing and screening brand new candidates – and programs targeted to skills across a variety of technical expertise, Flatiron School has what you need to fill the skill gaps on your teams.

And, when you partner with Flatiron School, you’ll be in good company with industry leaders such as Amazon.

Let Flatiron School help modernize your business with our training and talent services. Let us educate, so you can innovate. 

Get started today.