Ic Stars

In the fiscal year 2022, i.c.stars delivered 1,000 hours of project-based training to 124 underserved adults across chicago and milwaukee. Learners gained hands-on experience building software applications, giving presentations to potential employers, and developing leadership skills. 85% of graduates secured jobs in technology in roles such as technology apprentice, junior software developer, and quality assurance analyst, resulting in an initial annual earnings increase of approximately 118%. At one year on the job, participants annual earnings increased to approximately 200%. I.c.stars instructors, case managers, industry partners, and approximately 575 volunteers contributed to this outcome. Additional learning tools and supports include the pluralsight platform, counseling, civics classes, and workshops around the virtual workplace.ic Stars provided support for 87 recent graduates and alumni. This included employing 13 of the graduates through i.c.stars' social enterprise as contractors working for clients. As part of this service, i.c.stars provided ongoing check-ins with newly employed graduates and their managers. Recent graduates also received ongoing access to events, case management, counseling services, and continuing education support - including industry credentials and degree programs through i.c.stars partnership with Indiana wesleyan university. During fy2022, i.c.stars helped build the intellectual and social capital of i.c.stars participants and alumni by hosting seven convenings (virtual and in-person), attended by approximately 660 individuals. Events included a virtual martin luther king day discussion on social justice, racial equity, and innovation featuring i.c.stars graduates in conversation with tech executives at microsoft, argonne labs, salesforce and others. Another series of events in chicago and milwaukee focused on supply chain cybersecurity & the role of trust in tech with speakers from accenture, medline industries and others - and featured i.c.stars learners discussing the tech solution they developed. These events provide a platform for i.c.stars employers to speak to their industry peers about the value of nontraditional talent, and provide employment opportunities for participants and graduates.