Focus on Training Underserved Groups into Careers in Technology – Call for Start-ups
OAKLAND, CA – June 19, 2015 – Transmosis, a nationally recognized workforce accelerator founded by Silicon Valley technology entrepreneurs, today announced a strategic partnership with The Unity Council to launch a customized workforce accelerator at Fruitvale Village, a transit-oriented development located next to the Fruitvale BART station. The partnership will leverage Transmosis’s history of providing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) on-the-job training (OJT) to underserved groups and provides a platform for connecting these groups to opportunities at high technology companies.
The Transmosis workforce accelerator was born from a model developed in 2014 that connected job seekers, startups, recruiters, executives and mentors in a high-energy incubator setting in San Francisco. Incubators and co-working facilities are becoming increasingly popular in urban environments yet are restrictive due to their high costs of renting space or taking classes. Transmosis created an open source model that encouraged startups to seek space in the accelerator by reducing or subsidizing their rental costs and exposing them to job seekers open to learning on the job. Transmosis then partnered with local workforce development to bring in job seekers looking to fill their skill gaps. In 2014 these companies collectively generated over $30MM in revenue, produced new jobs and capital investment, and trained a whole new set of workers in the technology field. These “graduates” have gone on to positions at companies including HP, Cisco, Apple, and leading startups.
“Transmosis has its roots in connecting job seekers with training, internships, and job opportunities at technology companies,” said Chase Norlin, Executive Director. “The Unity Council has a strong history of assisting the underserved in the East Bay and this partnership will enable us to provide broader and deeper access to an industry that is becoming increasingly elite. Everybody deserves access to innovation.”
Chris Iglesias, Executive Director of The Unity Council, noted “We are enthused about our partnership with Transmosis and look forward to the opportunities that it will create for residents living in the Fruitvale neighborhood in Oakland who are interested in work in the technology industry.”
“I’m excited to see the long-term impact this partnership will have on both the technology sector and the lives of those who participate in this training and experiential learning opportunity,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “Oakland is truly fortunate to have an organization like the Unity Council which has established roots in the community and is uniquely positioned to make this collaboration a success.”
Call for start-ups: companies interested in subsidized office space in the workforce accelerator should apply here:
www.transmosis.com/call-for-startups-fruitvale-village-office-information-and-application
About Transmosis
Transmosis is an organization founded by Silicon Valley Technology Entrepreneurs dedicated to the research and application of technology to improve and strengthen the American workforce. Transmosis operates a nationally recognized Workforce Accelerator focused on creating, building, and growing technology ventures and training regional populations into careers in the broader technology industry.
About The Unity Council
The Unity Council, officially known as the Spanish-Speaking Unity Council of Alameda County, Inc, is a community development corporation located in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, CA. Our mission is to help families and individuals build wealth and assets through comprehensive programs of sustainable economic, social and neighborhood development.
Media Contacts:
Transmosis
Director, Communications
The Unity Council
Chris Iglesias