News
July 21, 2021Driven by Rapid Growth, AlbanyCanCode Rebrands as CanCode Communities, Announces Creation of Four New Affiliates in New York and Massachusetts
Five years after its launch as AlbanyCanCode – and building on its rapid expansion into Kingston, Saratoga and Herkimer, New York, the New York City metro, and The Berkshires of Western Massachusetts – the nonprofit organization training non-traditional talent for software career opportunities announced its rebrand as CanCode Communities, the addition of four new affiliates, and the unveiling of its new website at www.cancode.org.
“The birth of CanCode Communities represents a significant milestone and, most importantly, recognizes the growing impact of our efforts on the people, organizations and regions we’re privileged to serve,” said Annmarie Lanesey, Founder and CEO of CanCode Communities. “We’re thrilled to extend our mission of empowering underserved and underemployed individuals with digital skills, creating new opportunities for exciting tech careers, filling the tech talent pipeline to meet the needs of employers, and enriching communities through partnership and collaboration.”
The organization’s swift growth has been spurred by a $50,000 investment from Facebook, announced in January 2020, which was targeted to scale tech training courses and drive additional workforce and economic development opportunities. KingstonCanCode was launched that June, followed in November by a partnership with the New York State Office for New Americans that recently expanded into NewAmericansCanCode. Now, further expansion has enabled the creation of SaratogaCanCode, HerkimerCanCode, NewYorkCanCode, and BerkshiresCanCode.
Lisa R. Harris, Director, State and Local Economic Development Policy for Facebook, said, “CanCode Communities has been instrumental in helping people who may not otherwise have access to computer code training and education compete in the digital economy. CanCode Communities is expanding opportunity by ensuring the technology sector has a more diverse and talent-fueled workforce.”
In addition to expansion support, the rebranding effort was funded through a $10,000 grant provided by Saratoga National Bank.
“We are very excited to give our support to CanCode Communities for underserved and underemployed individuals seeking tech career employment,” said Saratoga National Bank Community Development Officer Kate Otis. “The expansion of this program aligns directly with our philanthropic efforts and will help provide economic stimulus to the communities we serve.”
Within the CanCode ecosystem of regional programs, CanCode Communities serves as the overarching organization. Each entity carries a name that reinforces its community presence and partnership, aimed to address local needs and aspirations.
Joining AlbanyCanCode, KingstonCanCode, and NewAmericansCanCode are:
• SaratogaCanCode. Working with educational partner SUNY Adirondack, and supported by funding partner Saratoga National Bank, classes start this week for SaratogaCanCode’s initial course: the Workforce Readiness Academies Program (WRAP), which provides free computer coding classes for underserved individuals.
• HerkimerCanCode. Working with educational partner Herkimer College, and funding partner the Community Foundation for Herkimer and Oneida Counties, an initial employer roundtable is scheduled for Thursday, July 28 at 3 p.m. Hosted by Herkimer College and conducted both in-person and virtually, the event seeks to identify the community’s specific tech talent needs.
• NewYorkCanCode. Working with Microsoft through the Accelerate: New York initiative, NewYorkCanCode offers computer coding education and training courses to provide a pathway from skilling to employment for community members in the tri-state area.
• BerkshiresCanCode. Working with educational partner Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and community partners Berkshires Innovation Center and 1Berkshire, BerkshiresCanCode has conducted its inaugural employer roundtable to determine the talent needs of regional businesses, with courses now being planned to address those needs.
As these new affiliates identify, plan and provide courses that address their particular needs, classes continue to be offered to students in New York’s Capital Region and Hudson Valley. This fall’s course schedule includes:
Since being established in 2016, more than 300 students have graduated from CanCode Communities’ extensive menu of computer coding courses that include Front-End Web Development, JavaScript Frameworks, Python for Data Analytics, and Microsoft PowerPlatform and Microsoft Azure, among others. Graduates have seen average annual salary increases exceeding $18,000, and secured tech jobs with leading employers that include Accenture, Goldman Sachs, New York State Office of Information Technology Services, MVP Healthcare, and Zones, among others.
Additionally, CanCode Communities has delivered digital literacy training to hundreds of adults seeking a place in the technology-driven, virtual business environment, and conducted hands-on K-12 coding programs that have served thousands of students.
“As the information economy accelerates and the business world rapidly evolves, the timing for CanCode Communities could not be more opportune,” said Miriam Dushane, Board Chair of CanCode Communities. “We are well-positioned to unlock tech career opportunities for those who are too often overlooked, and to help develop a skilled digital workforce that lifts up businesses, fosters economic growth, and improves quality of life in our communities.”
Formed to shift the mindset about who can work in technology, CanCode Communities designs and delivers computer coding and workforce training courses to develop non-traditional talent, helping to build a vibrant, inclusive tech talent pipeline aligned with the needs of employers, educators, and the community in general. For more information, visit www.cancode.org.
