Jonathan’s Landing Offers Women in Tech Program
A group of Beacon College students recently earned a microcredential toward WISE certification through Techtonic SkillCircuits, thanks to an ongoing partnership with Jonathan’s Landing. The Techtonic Workforce Academy hosted two sessions in September for 22 students at the Palace on the Beacon College campus.
Students in the morning session participated in the Next Generation of Women in Tech program, which introduced basic tech repair skills through four interactive stations. The program is tailored for neurodiverse students and aims to address the gender gap in technology, where women represent about 25% of the workforce.
Caitlin “Charlie” Ige, an anthrozoology major, said she has always been interested in technology and how it works and felt the certification would provide valuable skills.
“I am the type of woman to try out anything even if it might be something I never thought of,” Ige said. “Always open to trying new doors that are opened to me.”
Melissa Bradley, director of Beacon’s Juan and Lisa Jones Center for Career Preparation, said experiential learning is central to every academic program at the college.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Jonathan’s Landing offering this unique technician certification program for our students,” Bradley said. “These programs allow our students the opportunity to discover hidden strengths and talents, which lead to increased confidence in their abilities to navigate their career paths through practical experience that can lead to high-need employment pipelines.”
The afternoon session featured the Foundation: A Gateway to Technician Certification program. Also designed for neurodiverse learners, the session focused on basic cellphone and tablet repair skills through hands-on activities.
Upon completing each session, students earned a microcredential as their first step toward WISE certification. The Wireless Industry Service Excellence (WISE) certification sets the industry standard for mobile device repair technicians and retailers, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and best practices.
And for students considering certification programs, Ige advises them to “go for it! There is no penalty for trying something new especially if it might be something you end up really enjoying.”
Learn More About Experiential Learning
Real-world experience, or experiential learning, helps students refine skills and professionalism as they approach post-graduation careers. The flexibility offered through multiple types of experiential learning supports a wider scope of opportunities for all students.
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