You can get a better job. You can earn enough to care for your family. You can enter a world full of possibilities.
You can reach your full potential.
In today's world, YOU CAN!
North Penn Works
North Penn Works (NPW) is an Information Technology (IT) program that helps minorities and immigrants in the North Penn, Montgomery County region prepare themselves to find employment in the IT industry.
The program provides IT sensitization, training, and support to individuals in these underrepresented groups so they will be motivated to pursue readily available first-rate online training and access better income-generating opportunities in the IT industry.
This initiative is funded by a grant from the VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn.
Program Rationale
The NPW program seeks to address the challenge of low wages and systemic employment inequalities that target racial and ethnic minorities and provides a robust platform and array of opportunities for participants to learn about and develop careers to access well-paying tech jobs. The future of work is changing, and under-resourced individuals are likely to be excluded from opportunities to earn a living wage and even create wealth if intentional steps are not taken. There is an urgent need and an opportunity to support and equip racial and ethnic minorities so they can migrate to occupations that provide improved wage-earning opportunities and reduce their vulnerability to systemic health and wellness inequities.
The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated major social, health, and economic disparities that plague racial and ethnic minorities. These individuals are disproportionately employed in lower-paying jobs, such as retail or food outlets and custodian and delivery services, which generally do not allow “work from home” options. As a result, this demographic faced significantly increased exposure to the COVID-19 virus, loss of income, and an overall reduction in well-being. Since the onset of the pandemic, there have been attempts to provide support and social services to address their immediate and ongoing needs. However, at the root of these challenges is the reality of their lower wage-earning potential.
NPW will provide information technology (IT) sensitization, support, and access to self-directed online training to people of color, immigrants/refugees, and English Language Learners in the North Penn region so they will be motivated and excited about pursuing readily available first-rate online training to access better income-generating opportunities in the IT industry.