VCU news

By Aimee Walters and Chris Elam

Virginia Commonwealth University and the Institute of Data have forged a partnership to provide programs that will prepare nontraditional adult learners for careers in the tech industry.

The collaboration between VCU Continuing and Professional Education and the Institute of Data aims to bridge the gap between traditional academic education and industry-specific skills training, providing learners with the best of both worlds. The partnership offers noncredit bootcamps led by experienced instructors and industry professionals, leading to hands-on experience in cutting-edge technologies.

Through this collaboration, VCU alumni and other community members in Virginia will have access to the Institute of Data’s curriculum and state-of-the-art learning platform. Bootcamps will be tailored to meet the needs of the industry, providing adult learners with in-demand skills that are necessary to thrive in the job market. Full-time and part-time bootcamps that range from 12 to 24 weeks cover topics such as software engineering, data analytics and artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

“We are thrilled to partner with Virginia Commonwealth University to bring our innovative learning programs to their alumni and the greater community,” said Chris Elam, the Institute of Data’s vice president of university partnerships. “Our mission is to help individuals from all backgrounds acquire the skills they need to pursue successful careers in the tech industry. This partnership will allow us to reach more nontraditional students and help them achieve their goals.”

“Our partnership with the Institute of Data will allow us to deliver high-quality continuing and professional education programs to our alumni and other nontraditional students in the communities we serve,” said Judith Kornberg, Ph.D., interim executive director for VCU Online and Continuing and Professional Education. “The skills training that individuals receive through the tech bootcamps will prepare them for entry into fast-growing occupations as data scientists, information security analysts, software developers, quality assurance analysts, testers and related titles, while expanding the pipeline of skilled workers for employers in the tech industry.”

For more information about the VCU programs and the Institute of Data, please visit bootcamp.ocpe.vcu.edu or www.institutedata.com/us.