January Rodgers had not considered changing careers before enrolling in NPower’s 20-week tech fundamentals program.

While serving in the U.S. Army and working as a teacher, she saw technology become a bigger part of the world. She wanted a job that reflected that.

“I jumped on the chance to learn about technology,” Rodgers said. “I never really understood how a lot of that worked.”

On Thursday, she participated in NPower’s mock interview event, where local volunteers, companies and hiring professionals practice interviews with students. It’s part of a free 20-week course that provides professional development, technology training and certifications to prepare students for entry-level IT jobs.

“If you have a passion, if you want a career and role in tech, this is the place for you” said Meranda Soriano, NPower’s site director.

The program focuses on young adults aged 18-26, as well as veterans and service members’ spouses.

“A lot of veterans come to us and they have a robust background, but they’re not sure how to translate it into a civilian role,” Soriano said. “NPower serves almost like a bridge.”

In its two years in San Antonio, NPower has had 84% of its students complete the program, said Development Coordinator Alexis Moore. Students who don’t complete the course can also still complete certifications along the way. Its last cohort had a job placement rate of 52% of students who secured full-time tech employment.

NPower is a nationwide organization, Soriano said, and started operating in San Antonio in 2023. Since then, it’s served 331 people, about half young adults, half veterans or military spouses.

Applicants go through two rounds of interviews and then join a spring or fall cohort of between 55 and 60 students taking daily online classes and earning certificates from Google, Adobe and IT industry groups.

Rodgers said the fast-paced class was challenging at first. She’s learned more about how to troubleshoot and solve technology problems and how internet and device networks operate.

“It’s a lot, it comes fast,” she said. “It was a little overwhelming, but they encouraged me to stick it out and now it’s coming a lot easier.”

It’s not the only part of the course.

“Within those 20 weeks, there’s a technology portion where they’re getting certifications,” Soriano said. “But there’s also the professional development portion.”

The course includes resume building, interview preparation and networking opportunities, like the mock interview event at the SA Hope Center on the West Side. NPower then tries to place students with local companies, nonprofits and school districts that need IT staff.

“They help place you in a job with someone who is willing to take in someone new,” Rodgers said. She wants to combine her technology and educational experience to do IT work for schools. 

There are technology and IT jobs everywhere, Soriano said, they just might not be in traditional technology companies. Program graduates now work at Accenture Federal Services, Christus Health, Microsoft, Northside Independent School District and USAA, among other companies.

NPower is always looking for more employment partners, Soriano added, particularly because IT jobs are competitive.

According to NPower, the average salary of students who entered the program was just over $13,000 a year. The average annual salary for students who completed the program was more than $44,000.

Soriano said the program is growing. There are opportunities for students who want to go beyond entry-level IT training.

“NPower does offer advanced programs. Some students will go out and do our cybersecurity program, our cloud management program,” she said.

NPower collaborates with Ready to Work, the City of San Antonio’s workforce development program. Soriano said future expansions could include courses around manufacturing, healthcare and data analytics.

NPower also provides wraparound services for students who need them, including clothing, transportation, housing and child care. Staff members offer flexibility.

“They’re always so positive, very helpful with all the feedback,” Rodgers said. “They encourage you a lot and build you up to make you confident.”