ActivateWork Featured in Paul Fain's Work/Shift Newsletter
This story originally appeared in The Job by Work/Shift, a newsletter about the connections between education and work by veteran journalist Paul Fain. Read the original version here.
Curating a Match
Recruit, Train, and Coach
ActivateWork isn’t a coding bootcamp, although it offers tuition-free tech training. Instead, the Denver-based nonprofit describes itself as a bridge between companies and a diverse pool of job seekers.
“We bring employers to our learners,” says Helen Young Hayes, ActivateWork’s founder and CEO. “Employers need to be open to the thought that they might not have it all figured out.”
The group focuses on unemployed or underemployed workers. It recruits through digital media and at workforce centers, the Denver Rescue Mission, and other community organizations. Candidates participate in an eight-hour behavioral and aptitude assessment before they can enroll in ActivateWork’s 15-week training program. Only 20% are accepted.
Roughly two-thirds of training participants lack a bachelor’s degree. With a median age of 30 to 35, 70% are people of color. A third are women, and 22% are immigrants or refugees.
The group’s approach to training is based on the model of its partner, Per Scholas, a well-established tech skills development nonprofit. ActivateWork offers courses in software engineering, security fundamentals, IT support, AWS re/Start, and full-stack Java developer. Some of the 12- to 15-week tracks lead to a CompTIA A+ certification. All are free to learners—ActivateWork covers those costs through philanthropy and employer placement fees.
Its corporate partners tend to be open to hiring for potential, skills, and passion, says Hayes, not just pedigree. “Employers that have a long-term strategic approach versus a short-term reactive approach to solving their IT talent gaps,” she says.
So far 214 students have completed the program. The group is on pace to train 650 learners over the next three years. Graduates see an average annual wage gain from $20K to $46K.
Participants receive coaching for the first year after they are hired into a job. The support is designed to help them make the adjustment into a new role, in part to reduce turnover for ActivateWork’s employer partners.
Hayes says the group curates the match between employers and graduates.
“We coach our individuals on how to develop social capital and set the stage for them to develop close connections through our alumni gatherings,” she says.
Federal Support
ActivateWork has created three federally registered apprenticeships for graduates, which it offers to employers as a “turnkey” approach to on-the-job training. The group’s goal is for half of its graduates to move into an apprenticeship, which Hayes describes as the “surest and shortest path to economic mobility.”
The IT office of Jared Polis, Colorado’s Democratic governor, recently hired three apprentices who are graduates of ActivateWork’s software engineering course.
Hayes is a former investment banker who at one time oversaw $50B in assets as a portfolio manager for Janus Capital, a Denver-based mutual fund company. She would like to see the federal government invest more in work-based learning and backs a proposal for a new workforce training grant.
The concept would draw money from higher education subsidies to create an annual employer grant of $10K for each trainee who splits their time between work and formal training. Hayes also says she would like to see government support for low-income learners who are enrolled in accredited workforce programs that provide evidence-based upskilling, employment, and economic mobility.
In both cases, she says, quality controls are a must, including the decertification of underperforming training programs.
The Kicker: “No funding for organizations that do not provide employment,” says Hayes.
ActivateWork Promotes Kathryn V. Harris to President & Chief Operating Officer [Press Release]
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tassi Keith, Keeton PR
tassi@KeetonPR.com
308-539-1883
DENVER, COLO. — Thurs., March 30, 2023 — ActivateWork, a Colorado nonprofit that connects employers to a diverse pool of exceptionally trained IT talent, announced today that Kathryn V. Harris has been named President and Chief Operating Officer. Harris has served as Managing Director and COO for the past three years.
“As ActivateWork continues to shape the future of Colorado workers by developing a talent pipeline of skilled professionals from overlooked communities, both operational excellence and effective leadership are crucial to our success. Kathryn is driven by purpose and values, and I’m confident she is the right person to lead ActivateWork in our mission to positively impact people’s lives and the economy of our state,” said Helen Young Hayes, CEO and Founder of ActivateWork.
“Kathryn is the rare combination of a dynamic, decisive leader and a warm, authentic ambassador. She’s creative, dedicated, and a relentlessly productive hands-on project manager. I look forward to the future of ActivateWork. We’ve made great strides in no small part due to Kathryn’s efforts, and our greatest impacts lie ahead.”
Harris joined ActivateWork in 2019. She was responsible for launching their tuition-free IT skills training program that addresses Denver’s tech workforce shortage while improving economic mobility for marginalized populations. Under her leadership, ActivateWork has achieved all goals, including graduation and job placement rates, and has grown employer partners from zero to more than 35. She was instrumental in the launch of their nationally-recognized apprenticeship program that is now one of the top three in the state.
Harris began her career at Accenture and has spent two decades in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, including roles as Executive Director of the Grand Foundation, Development Director for the Rose Community Foundation and President/CEO of Qualistar Colorado. She is a founding board member of Colorado Inclusive Economy and the Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative. Harris received a B.A. in Economics from Middlebury College and earned a certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from Boston College.
About ActivateWork
ActivateWork is a talent solutions organization that transforms high-potential individuals into highly skilled, valuable team members. Our rigorous recruiting, industry-driven training, curated matches, and professional skills coaching prepare new employees to thrive in their careers. For more information, visit www.activatework.org.
[Contact information and boilerplate updated August 11, 2025]
Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology Hires Three Apprentices Through ActivateWork [Press Release]
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tassi Keith, Keeton PR, tassi@KeetonPR.com, 308-539-1883
DENVER, COLO. — Mon., March 13, 2023 — ActivateWork announced today that three graduates of their training program were hired as developer apprentices by the Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) through a new partnership. The apprentices are recent graduates of ActivateWork’s Software Engineering course and will serve up to 18 months in their roles.
“The Governor’s Office of Information Technology is building the talent of tomorrow with apprentices to serve all Coloradans today. Registered apprenticeship programs are an inclusive model for workforce and career development,” said Anthony Neal-Graves, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director at OIT.
“We are eager to work with three of the graduates from ActivateWork’s training program, which prepared apprentices for their roles and will ensure ongoing professional coaching and support to set them up for success.”
According to the 2022 Colorado Tech Industry Report from Colorado Technology Association, every year an average of 41,550 tech jobs need to be filled to accommodate for growth and retiring workers, and software developers account for almost 12 percent of the tech workforce. Denver-based non-profit ActivateWork connects employers to a diverse pool of exceptional talent and has three registered apprenticeships. The Software Development apprenticeship is the newest, and OIT is the first organization to hire apprentices within the program. ActivateWork’s other apprenticeships include Cybersecurity and DevOps, and all provide earn-while-you-learn career pathways to Coloradans. Through the apprenticeship programs, ActivateWork is helping Colorado employers to build their own talent pipelines with diverse, qualified candidates.
“We are excited to partner with OIT to launch this software development registered apprenticeship program to help them solve their IT talent gap and create a new economic mobility pathway for other employers in Colorado,” said Kathryn V. Harris, COO at ActivateWork. “Not only do our apprentices have their employer mentors and supervisors, but ActivateWork also provides a career coach and an apprenticeship coordinator to create comprehensive supports for each apprentice.
“Apprenticeships allow employers to build an evergreen talent pipeline with the exact skills they need for their in-demand roles. We applaud OIT for leading the way, leveraging this promising strategy to solve persistent talent gaps.”
Each OIT apprentice completed a 15-week Software Engineering pre-apprenticeship boot camp through ActivateWork, where they were immersed in full stack development and software development life cycle topics for more than 400 hours. Their graduation from the program qualifies them to enter the apprenticeship with the aptitude and skills to become a junior software developer.
The apprenticeship program addresses business needs by providing talent for hard-to-fill roles and solving the need for equity and inclusion in tech. ActivateWork CEO and Founder Helen Young Hayes explained, “We recruit people from underrepresented communities and provide rigorous, industry-informed IT skills training paired with durable soft skills, preparing them for successful careers. We know that on a national level, 93% of apprentices transition into permanent employees; we’re confident our apprentices will experience similar success rates.”
The OIT Developer Apprentices will work as part of the office’s existing developer teams.
Photos available upon request.
About ActivateWork
ActivateWork is a talent solutions organization that transforms high-potential individuals into highly skilled, valuable team members. Our rigorous recruiting, industry-driven training, curated matches, and professional skills coaching prepare new employees to thrive in their careers. For more information, visit www.activatework.org.
[Contact information and boilerplate updated August 11, 2025]
Colorado Voices on Tech: A Conversation with Helen Young Hayes [Podcast]
Colorado Voices on Tech: A Conversation With Helen Young Hayes [Podcast]
Colorado Voices on Tech is a podcast hosted by Frannie Matthews, President and CEO of Colorado Technology Association, featuring conversations with leaders and innovators driving advancements in our community and in business through technology. Through these fast-paced conversations, listeners learn about emerging tech trends, how technology influences the world around us, and the ways that the Colorado tech ecosystem is contributing to the technology landscape worldwide.
In this episode from February 24, 2023, Frannie spoke with ActivateWork’s founder and CEO, Helen Young Hayes, about her approach to connecting diverse, qualified talent to leading employers in the Colorado tech community—not only to advance economic and professional success but to transform lives through learning the mastery of new habits, mindsets, and disciplines.
Listen to the conversation on Buzzsprout
CEO Spotlight with Helen Young Hayes Founder & CEO of ActivateWork
ActivateWork Founder and CEO Helen Young Hayes was featured in a CEO Spotlight on Denver’s Talk Station 630 KHOW in January 2023. Listen to the interview below, or visit iHeart Media’s website to listen to the original recording.
CEO Spotlight with Helen Young Hayes on Denver’s Talk Station 630 KHOW
January 27, 2023
Listen to “CEO Spotlight with Helen Young Hayes Founder & CEO of ActivateWork” on Spreaker.
ActivateWork: A Graduation of Diverse Learners
As seen in the September 2022 issue of Neighbors of Northwest Arvada
By Jeannette Schultz
Last July 1, Denver-based ActivateWork graduated three classes of 58 learners from technology courses suchas Security Fundamentals, QA Test Automation, and Desktop Support.
“Our triple graduation celebrates our impressive learners’ passion, curiosity, and perseverance. We celebrate each graduate’s courage to pursue broader horizons through the transformative power of technology,” said Helen YoungHayes, Founder and CEO of ActivateWork.
Mission:
ActivateWork’s mission is to help underserved individuals achieve their fullest potential through the dignity of work. Founded in 2016, the organization is dedicated to transforming ambition into lasting success by launching individuals into flourishing careers in IT and healthcare.
Partnering with Per Scholas, ActivateWork’s graduates completed 15-week courses focused on troubleshooting and maintaining computers, software, networks, and mobile devices. These courses also allowed students to earn CompTIA’s industry-recognized A+ and NETWORK+ certifications.
“It is bitter-sweet, half of me can’t wait to see all the great things these learners will accomplish, but the other half will miss our conversations,” said Michael Savage, Career Development Manager of ActivateWork.
Graduates are eager to start their technology careers. One graduate reminisces on finding the program fortuitous. “When I first heard about the program, I thought it was too good to be true. This program fell into my life: tuition-free, textbooks provided, testing vouchers covered. We had career coaching and participated in MSU Denver’s Cyber Range. This was more than just a boot camp,” said Yiana Michalakopoulos, a recent graduate who completed the Security Fundamentals course.
What we do:
ActivateWork provides world-class IT training and credentials, provided by Per Scholas, a national partner organization. The tuitionfree IT training and employment program is a win-win for individuals, employers, and the Denver community. By efficiently and effectively upskilling Coloradans from underrepresented communities, the IT curriculum solves for:
1. The million-person IT talent shortage in the US. This talent gap grows every year; the US simply doesn’t graduate enough computer sciences students, to meet the demand for tech talent.
2. The rapid obsolescence of the skills of millions of Americans due to Artificial Intelligence and the acceleration into a digital economy.
3. The post-pandemic desire for economic mobility and flourishing careers among workers previously employed in low-wage, dead-end jobs.
4. The uneven nature of Colorado’s prosperity. Colorado ranks 8thin overall prosperity but 37th in racial inclusivity of our economy. Communities of color are not participating equally in the state’s success and prosperity.
5. The tech industry’s desire for more diversity in the workforce. Currently, only 36 percent are women and 18 percent are Black and Hispanic.
6. The economic development cost to Colorado of unfilled tech jobs. With 23,000 cyber openings, Colorado’s economy is missing out on $2.3 billion in annual earning capacity.
7. Accelerating demand for cybersecurity and data protection.
ActivateWork is a nonprofit recruiting, training, and coaching firm that connects employers to a diverse pool of exceptional talent. The organization helps employers solve talent gaps by finding promising candidates in underrepresented communities and preparing them to excel in new careers.
Visit ActivateWork.org for more information.
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.1 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost High-Tech Jobs and Businesses in Colorado
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Contact: John Atwood JAtwood@eda.gov
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.1 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost High-Tech Jobs and Businesses in Colorado
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $3.1 million in the state of Colorado to support the growth of high-tech business and cybersecurity workforce development. These grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan.
- The University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, will receive a $2 million grant to launch a smart cities incubator and accelerator with the goals of diversifying and building the regional economy and positioning the region as a smart technology innovation hub. Smart Cities certificate programs will be offered for undergraduate students and mid-career professionals for different types of careers. The EDA investment will also be used to support the development, testing and deployment of smart city technologies via the purchasing of 5G equipment to create a ’living lab’ for testing prototype products and services. The University of Colorado Denver has structured the project to serve underserved populations including students of color, women and first-generation Americans, and the project will help them attain quality jobs in the growing Smart Cities ecosystem. This EDA grant will be matched with $500,000 in local funds and is expected to create 239 jobs, according to grantee estimates.
- Activate Work, Inc, Denver, will receive a $1.1 million grant to support a training and job placement program for Coloradans seeking employment in the cybersecurity industry. The project will support underserved, low-income Coloradans seeking training and employment in high-demand cybersecurity careers through a tuition-free bootcamp and continued career coaching. This EDA grant will be matched with $279,254 in local funds and is expected to create 98 jobs, according to grantee estimates.
“President Biden is committed to supporting communities as they seek to create new opportunities to spur business growth and create jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will provide the resources Coloradans need to spur growth in the critical high-technology and cybersecurity sectors.”
“The Economic Development Administration is dedicated to working with communities to support their locally-driven strategies to recover and rebuild from the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “These investments will support Colorado as it develops new industries that will drive a resilient 21st Century economy.”
“This new investment will help save people money and get Coloradans into good paying jobs. Colorado’s thriving Latino community is a key to our economic success and a driving force behind our state’s strong workforce and critical industries. We thank the Biden administration and Secretary Raimondo for these important grant funds that will help make our professional services work force even stronger,” said Governor Jared Polis.
“This funding will create opportunities for programs in Colorado to expand their ground-breaking work in areas like cybersecurity as they lead our nation in building a 21st century economy that works for everyone,” said Senator Michael Bennet. “I look forward to seeing these investments come to life in Colorado.”
These projects are funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.
ActivateWork & NAAAP
ActivateWork & NAAAP
NAAAP CO goes into the details for Activate Work, a FREE tech program that can help get you into a new career without any cost.
TRANSCRIPT
JANIE: Hi everyone! My name is Janie Sayavong and I'm the president of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) in Colorado. I'm here with Jeannette Schultz, an outreach manager for Activate Work. Jeannette, if you wouldn't mind, tell us a little more about yourself, that'd be great.
JEANNETTE: My name is Jeannette Schultz in Activate Work. I have been with the company less than a year but I've been in non-profit for about 20 years.
JANIE: If you wouldn't mind, telling me just a little more about the purpose of the program, how it's funded.
JEANNETTE: So is was founded by Helen Young Hayes, who is also the CEO. She wanted to elevate and diversify the IT industry. We are actually funded by a variety of different funders, community funds, and have been able to provide these classes free.
JANIE: Who is this program really intended for? Perhaps you can give me an idea of what that program looks like.
JEANNETTE: I feel like when when there are people out there stuck in their careers or maybe stuck in a dead-end job, this is maybe an opportunity. Do you like fixing computers? Do you like trying to find a solution? Do you like helping others understand the complexity of why they can't move forward with their website or why they're stuck on a page?
JANIE: Jeannette, what type of investment is needed?
JEANNETTE: Funding takes care of all the tuition, the books. We do require you to have that commitment, the drive, the determination to finish. It is 9:00 to 4:00 every day. There is one professional day where you get to meet and get some coaching on resumes, mock interviews, so that's one.
JANIE: Excellent. Jeannette, this has been great information. So how would prospective candidates learn more about Activate Work? Where can they go for more information? How do they apply? Give us the download on that.
JEANNETTE: So, we have a website at www.activatework.org. If you go on the website under "Learners" you can click on "Software Engineering," under that tab and it will tell you everything about Software Engineering. What the classes are. What the certification might include and even the positions you can qualify for after the class is done. Then at the bottom of that information page is a link for you to start the application. The first one is Software Engineering in October and then Desktop Support in November. We will have new ones coming in 2023. We see it about 24 — that's why it's competitive. It can be anybody. They have to be legal to work here in the U.S. They have to commit to 9:00 to 4:00 every day. Some of our learners might have weekend or evening jobs just so they can be in class. Classes are hybrid. It could be on online. On professional development days where you get to meet potential employers, we do require our Student Learners to come in to the office and be able to meet prospective employers. Alternatively, if you can't find it easily, you can email me at info@activatework.org and I can get you the links and help you connect to those classes.
Jeannette, this has been great information I appreciate you taking the time to really help our audience, our AAPI community members, and supporters learn much more about Activate Work. It sounds like it's a great opportunity here for someone who has the desire to really better and learn these technical skills without accumulating six-figure student loans.
Thank you again, for making that time, and if anyone does require additional information in the application process, know that that information is here again, available on www.activatework.org, and you can contact info@activatework.org which goes directly to Jeannette's line.
In The Arena with Helen Young Hayes
In the Arena with Colorado Concern is a podcast that explores the intersection of business and politics in the Centennial state. Host Mike Kopp connects listeners with individuals who are rolling up their sleeves and working to make meaningful change in the state. In this episode from August 2022, Kopp interviews Helen Young Hayes, the Founder and CEO of ActivateWork and the Founder and Chair of the Colorado Inclusive Economy Movement. Listen to the full podcast episode on Buzzsprout.
Listen to the Podcast
Interview Transcript
Your personal story is remarkable; what is something that has shaped your mindset as a leader?
One of my strengths is I just don’t quit. Indomitable persistence was modeled by both of my parents who were Chinese refugees. Having fled China to escape World War II, they ultimately settled in the US where they found physical safety, political freedom, and economic security. Having lost everything, they rebuilt their lives with courage, hope, and tenacity. Their struggle and never-quit optimism shaped me as a leader.
You’ve made a significant career pivot, from managing over $50 billion in assets for Janus Capital to helping create economic freedom through the dignity of work at ActivateWork. What lessons from the world of finance have you brought to workforce development, and what inspired the pivot?
I’ll answer the second question first. I am a firm believer in the American dream and am myself a poster child! As the daughter of immigrants who came to this country empty-handed, I’ve achieved more success than I ever imagined. However, inequity of opportunity and income persists for people of color and low wage-earning communities. I believe that persistent inequity is our most pressing societal problem, and I started ActivateWork to launch careers and economic mobility because I want to be a solution.
What I bring from my Wall Street days into workforce development is my belief that business is the key to unlocking economic opportunity by creating jobs, income, and wealth. ActivateWork provides IT skills training and access to employer networks to people often underrepresented in tech. Thus, we catalyze business to its highest purpose—helping people achieve economic freedom through the dignity of work.
What do you wish the legislature and your fellow business leaders understood about the talent pipeline and workforce development?
We have a skilled talent crisis in our state and in our nation. The pandemic accelerated trends in artificial intelligence, automation, and remote work–the digital age is upon us. The demand for skilled jobs has increased, while demand for lower-skill jobs has and will continue to drop–with troubling implications for income and employment inequity.
We are in a knowledge-based economy, and we are leaving too many Coloradans behind. Colorado’s economy ranks 12th overall, but 37th out of 50 states for racial disparities. 65% of the thriving-wage jobs in Colorado require post-secondary degrees or credentials, yet less than half of our workforce has these advanced degrees. What are we going to do to bridge that gap?
We must close the learning gap, especially for low-income individuals and communities of color. Education must equitably equip people with the skills that employers demand, like strong communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and learning skills.
Higher ed alone is not bridging the gap for a skilled workforce. Less than half of Coloradans have a bachelors or associates degree, while 27% of Blacks and 17% of Latinos have a college degree. We must expand beyond college degrees to develop alternative forms of credentialing like vocational training and apprenticeship. These alternative educational pathways are underutilized in our race to develop a skilled workforce earning family-sustaining wages.
What advice do you have for CEOs hiring in a labor shortage?
In addition to founding ActiveWork, I founded the Colorado Inclusive Economy Movement, where we bring CEOs together to discuss these issues. We dig into leaky talent pipelines and workplace culture to make Colorado the most inclusive economy in the nation.
First, we need to recognize that traditional ways of looking at talent have become obsolete. For example, requiring a four-year college degree with almost any role is automatically screening out a large percentage of the population who might indeed possess the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary for a job. In the face of a labor shortage, employers need to bring in as many qualified individuals as possible.
Instead of degree requirements, companies should shift to skills-based hiring. Screening in for transferable skills and experiences brings in a wider, more diverse talent pool. Employers should also eliminate bias in recruiting and hiring through informed diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
Employees want an employer that cares about their well-being and provides opportunities for learning and career advancement. That means flexible work hours and remote work options, as well as development training and intentional career-pathing and mentorship.
Building a healthy culture with loyal and engaged workers is hard work. Employees want to feel individually connected to your mission and to see that differences are valued. Leaders and managers should express both recognition, for what an employee does, and appreciation, for who an employee is.
What are the biggest opportunities you see for the state?
I would like to see Colorado take the lead in apprenticeship as a strategic workforce and talent development initiative.
Colorado is the fourth largest employer of technology talent in the nation and has become a destination for tech companies. Unfortunately, we’re not producing enough local tech talent. We have a tremendous shortage. For example, there are 30,000 open cybersecurity and technology jobs in the state, representing a lost earnings opportunity of $3 billion annually. We’ve been importing college-educated talent from other states, but we need to widen our talent pool with home-grown talent.
If we could develop our own tech talent, especially from populations historically underrepresented in technology, we could meet the local demand for tech workers and launch pathways to economic mobility. We could build a skilled workforce for the 21st century that would drive change, not fall victim to it. We could bridge the 1.2-million-person IT talent shortage in the US.
That’s precisely what we’re doing at ActivateWork with our tuition-free IT training program. We widen access to valuable tech careers by providing credentialing and employment to people often underrepresented in IT. Individuals from all backgrounds can reposition themselves for a an IT career, debt-free and on-the-job, while employers develop their own long-term strategic, diverse technology workforce for today and tomorrow.
Rapid Fire Round:
- Who inspires you? My mom. She is endlessly optimistic and never quits. She has a PhD in Chemical Physics and worked full time while raising five kids. Now, she has a chi gong video on YouTube that has 6 million views and 71,000 subscribers. She’s still transforming lives in her mid-80s.
- What is your favorite place in Colorado? Crested Butte
- What are you reading? Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu. It’s a novel about a Chinese family that became refugees during World War II. It feels largely autobiographical to my family. It talks about the loss, the trauma, the strength, and the courage of the Chinese immigrant experience.
- What is your favorite restaurant? Barolo Grill
[Press Release] ActivateWork Expands IT Career Training and Employment Opportunities Through Partnership with CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tassi Keith, Keeton PR, tassi@KeetonPR.com, 308-539-1883
Denver nonprofit is collaborating with Ping Identity to offer turnkey apprenticeship solution
DENVER, COLO. — July 12, 2022 — ActivateWork, a leader in connecting employers to a diverse pool of exceptional talent, is expanding its efforts to train and place aspiring information technology (IT) professionals with top employers in the greater Denver area through a new collaborative effort with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and CompTIA.
ActivateWork is the latest organization to join CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech, a United States Department of Labor (USDOL) standards-based Registered Apprenticeship program that is helping employers fill their current and long-term IT staffing needs and creating employment opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds who are underrepresented in the current tech workforce.
As an intermediary organization in the program, ActivateWork is delivering turnkey apprenticeship solutions for employers like Ping Identity that will provide job access to Coloradans who have traditionally been sidelined from lucrative careers in IT.
“Collectively, we want to change the face of IT in Colorado, adding more people of color, women, veterans, and those without a college degree,” said Kathryn Harris, chief operating officer at ActivateWork.
“We believe that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. Our employer partners are opening doors to great careers and simultaneously building a Colorado that works for all.”
Colorado has over 30,000 open cybersecurity and coding jobs with an average salary of over $100,000. The state’s IT workforce is 77% white and 79% male. At the same time, over 500,000 Coloradans live in poverty. Poverty rates for young adults are disproportionately high, and Black, Indigenous, and Latinx Coloradans are more than twice as likely to live in poverty.
“We have partnered closely with ActivateWork to develop Colorado’s first DevOps apprenticeship and are committed to hiring candidates from their program to support modern apprenticeship pathways in Colorado for IT,” said Jennifer Arzberger, Ph.D., Ping Identity Champion of Learning.
“We look forward to exploring additional tracks, including cybersecurity and software engineering, as we scale our partnership.”
Training delivered through the apprenticeship program is based on National Guideline Standards created by CompTIA and approved by the USDOL. These standards detail the competencies in technical and employability skills that apprentices need to join the IT workforce in five high-demand occupations: tech support specialists, network support specialists, cybersecurity support technicians, tech project coordinators and data analysts.
The USDOL selected AIR and CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the IT industry and workforce, to serve as a national Industry Intermediary for expansion of apprenticeship in tech occupations. For more information visit https://www.comptia.org/content/lp/apprenticeships-for-tech.
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About ActivateWork
ActivateWork is a talent solutions organization that transforms high-potential individuals into highly skilled, valuable team members. Our unique combination of rigorous recruiting, industry-driven training, curated job matches, and professional skills coaching prepares new employees to show up ready to contribute on day one.
Our proprietary behavioral screening process, rigorous skills training, and 12 months of on-the-job coaching prepare our learners to be valuable new hires, with a one-year retention rate 36% higher than the industry average. And with an average starting wage of more than $20/hour, our model is one of few proven to launch people to lasting economic freedom. https://www.activatework.org/
About CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech
CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech is a national initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to increase the number of skilled technology workers and expand tech career opportunities for diverse populations, including women, individuals with disabilities and people of color. https://www.comptia.org/content/lp/apprenticeships-for-tech.
Media Contacts
Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech
sostrowski@comptia.org
630-678-8468
Tassi Keith, Keeton PR for ActivateWork
tassi@KeetonPR.com
308-539-1883
ActivateWork
apprenticeships@activatework.org
303-861-0255
[Contact information and boilerplate updated August 11, 2025]