AIM Institute, Interface: the Web School and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are partnering to give veterans new opportunities to develop in-demand technology skills.
(Originally published March 20, 2018)
The Nebraska Department of Education has approved Interface: The Web School courses to be eligible for GI Bill benefits, which provide education reimbursement and other benefits to service members following their service to the military.
Interface is one of just two code schools between Denver and Chicago to offer classes in web technologies that are eligible for GI Bill benefits.
“Meeting the growing demands for tech talent on the Silicon Prairie requires expanding access to education and career development training,” said AIM Institute President and CEO Kandace Miller. “AIM Institute is proud to work with the VA to help increase veterans’ access to life-changing training and education.”
As part of the non-profit AIM Institute, Interface School develops tech talent through hands-on educational programming and professional development training in the latest web technologies.
Veterans are now eligible to receive GI benefits to learn high-demand skills in web development, data science and computer languages in an accelerated format.
“Interface School is honored to serve veterans by providing technology training that can help them gain an edge in today’s rapidly changing job market by helping them learn and refine in-demand skills,” said LaShonna Dorsey, AIM Vice President of Business Development and Tech Talent, and Interface co-founder. “We’re excited to work with the VA to open doors that will help veterans pursue new opportunities in their lives through our courses.”
Interface: The Web School and Contemporary Analysis (CAN), a company specializing in predictive analytics, formed a teaching partnership called the Omaha Data Science Academy.
The 24-week certificate is now eligible for GI benefits. It is designed to build on existing data science knowledge, and leverage it for a competitive edge in the workforce.
“The skill sets of data scientists are one of the most highly paid skill sets in tech. Military veterans are a special type of person, trained to have high tenacity and discipline to find solutions when not readily apparent. The two together make something special,” said Nate Watson, president of Contemporary Analysis. “Now, vets can use their GI Bill to learn data science skills taught by the real-world data scientists of the Omaha Data Science Academy. This gives them a leg up on their competition for jobs both here and around the country. Not only do Omaha and Lincoln companies win by having world-class talent to recruit from, but vets win by getting relevant, real-world training. Win/win!”
Kent Smotherman, AIM Director of Adult Tech Education, is looking forward to working with more veterans, and helping them enter the tech talent pipeline. It’s an important aspect of TechHire, a national initiative expanding learning opportunities, transforming hiring practices and building inclusive tech communities, which Omaha is a part of.
“It’s exciting to be able to offer veterans the opportunity to learn skills that will not only help them develop professionally, but also help our community advance as a tech community through their contributions,” said Smotherman, who has more than 34 years of development experience.
The GI Bill provides education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days.
In addition to providing benefits for traditional college degrees, it also offers options to veterans for accelerated non-college training programs such as Interface School.
Veterans applying to Interface Web School will need to complete VA Form 22-1999 as part of the enrollment process. The VA facility code for Interface is 3-5-0008-27. Anyone with questions can contact us here.
For more information on VA Education Benefits, click here.