Lehi— Thanks to the Tech-Moms program from RizeNext, a total of 27 women who support 60 children under age 17.2 graduated from the 2020 program. The 26 who responded gave the program a 100 percent satisfaction score in providing them with introductory skills and understanding of opportunities available in the technology workforce.

RizeNext is filling final available spots quickly for the Spring 2021 program, with six openings still available in Lehi and seven in Ogden. Most enrollments are provided entirely on scholarship from local technology companies.

Final spots for spring 2021 filling quickly

Applicants must respond quickly as class start dates are February 13 for Ogden and February 20 for Lehi. RizeNet asks that all applications be submitted by January 16.

The opportunities are significant, but deadlines for registration are coming for as many as 20 moms in Weber County and 20 in Lehi, UT to register for the coming Tech-Moms program to prepare moms for entry or re-entry into career opportunities in tech. The Tech-Moms program, delivered by RizeNext, has at least 20 scholarship positions open for the Ogden, Utah program in particular, but must receive applications by November 30, 2021.

Prospective applicants can get more information from www.RizeNext.com and can submit applications at http:/bit.ly/tech-moms-apply.

Support for women who become mothers in the U.S. workforce creates tremendous uplift for our communities and economy, notes RizeNext Founder and CEO Trina Limpert. The program is particularly important as job eliminations and furloughs and the requirement for home schooling has affected many Utah families during 2020 and the Spring semesters of 2021.

“We had no idea the impact, not just in moving women into higher paying more mom-friendly positions but the life transitions that would occur from our initial program,” Limpert said. “We focus on the individual first then the tech as we know that career transitions are life transformations. We were able to create a community of strong, driven and supportive women to help through the journey and are excited to grow our community with each graduating class.”

As the program continues to expand, there are plans for a TechMoms cohort for Latinas in March of 2020, Limpert added.

Of the 2020 graduates, Limpert notes the following outcomes:

• 8 women are interested in coding & are currently enrolled full stack development courses
• 6 women are now in reporting and data analytics related fields 
• 4 women are in UI/UX design and attending higher ed courses 
• 3 women are in Cyber Security 
• 1 is in product management 
• 1 is in quality assurance 
• 1 is a female entrepreneur 
• 1 is now working in Technical Sales 

Responses include the following:

“I’m so excited to be participating in [Tech-Moms]! I’ve learned so much already and can already tell there’s a career switch in this realm for me. Thank you for this opportunity!” – Ally Nickel ( a 5th grade teacher now enrolled at V SChool to be a Full Stack Developer.)

“I was laid off from a tech job that I loved and I started my Master’s program because of the amazing mentors I had at Evernym – they pretty much jump start my love for tech. But you guys solidified what I was truly capable of. Since the layoff, I had such a hard time finding a job during the spring and the summer….The program literally reignited my desire to keep on learning, never settle, I can claim my spot and meet my goals. Thank you so much, ladies for gifting me my empowerment this year and letting me be a part of this cohort!” —  Lizadel Yarisontos (was laid off due to COVID but got a job before finishing Tech-Moms in Technical Sales. She tuck to her goal of staying in tech and is now making $30k+ a year more than before being laid off.) 

Protection during COVID

Current plans are for the courses to run live, with appropriate social distancing, but where necessary, the programs are remote. In either case, the Tech-Moms program offers childcare support on-site or through a stipend for remote students to ensure participants are able to apply full focus to their own development.

Participants learn technical skills by building and launching a website using HTML, CSS and Javascript to showcase the skills acquired for potential employers. They expand understanding of the technology industry including trends, the issues driving growth and innovation, and the potential career paths for technology workers. The program also provides professional network-building to result in connections to like-minded peers and working professionals.

Limpert notes the training Tech-Moms provides is especially beneficial in the respect that it puts a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) role model into the home of each of the women it trains.

2021 Sponsors

Current 2021 sponsors include Facebook Data Center at Eagle Mountain, Pure Good Foundation, Album VC, Overstock, and support from Weber State University and Utah Valley University community education programs.

The Tech-Moms program welcomes additional sponsorships via in-kind donations and services as well as funds for tuition and stipends for costs such as childcare not covered by tuition, in an effort to provide as many seats as possible on scholarship. The program strives to have each participant cover a minimum of $400 of their costs as a personal investment in the program’s completion, but in cases of hardship, this portion could potentially also be waived, the company says.