The Michigan Bridge to Opportunity Academy (MBA) is seeking candidates for their training and certification program. MBA was specifically developed to empower and enable people with disabilities to achieve a meaningful career in information technology.
MBA is the result of a public-private partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), operated by Three Talents LLC. The program provides technical and ready-for-work training and a strong support team to ensure each candidate reaches their full potential.
“MBA is built on the best practices of successful, similar bridge academies worldwide with high student success rates,” said MBA Founder and CEO Patrick Romzek. “It provides employers with a valuable supply of untapped talent and gives candidates meaningful opportunities that can transform their lives.”
This tuition-free opportunity for Michigan residents with disabilities runs for 20 weeks, uses curriculum provided by the Cisco Networking Academy and leads to certification as a Cisco Certified Technician to enable entry-level IT jobs for participants. Potential candidates must have a documented disability, an 11th grade reading and math level and an interest in IT.
“We are pleased to partner with MBA to support the need to fill in-demand IT roles with a diverse pool of individuals,” said Tina Fullerton, director of MRS. “This training opportunity balances the technical aspects with career preparation to provide students with the confidence and skills they need to experience a lifetime of success after graduation.”
For those interested in applying, MBA is hosting informational sessions this fall. You can sign up online on the Michigan Bridge Academy program website: michiganbridgeacademy.org.
MRS assists persons with disabilities to achieve competitive employment and self-sufficiency. For more information on Michigan Rehabilitation Services, visit Michigan.gov/MRS.
