The Ion announced this week that it will launch four new workforce development programs that aim to enhance learner's digital skills and prepare them for careers in tech.

The courses will start in February and will take on a variety of formats, from bootcamps to traditional courses and virtual coaching sessions. All were created with the support of The Ion's founding partner Microsoft.

“The Ion is collaborating with new and existing organizations to create visible pathways to careers in technology for underrepresented populations and job seekers,” says Jan E. Odegard, executive director at The Ion, in a statement. “The Ion is excited to offer low-cost programming that meets learners of all skill sets and financial backgrounds where they are to make a tech-fueled career or career in tech possible.”

The programs are in development with:

• General Assembly: The global education provider that expanded operations into Houston 2019 will offer courses, informational sessions, and training on critical technology skills, software engineering, user experience design, or data science and analysis. Programs will last up to five months and tuition assistance is available.
• Ampersand: The Houston-based training program for young professionals born out of the pandemic will offer digital courses and match college students with internships.
• High Performance Institute: The international think tank and training center will offer personal performance indicator assessments, habit building courses, and monthly group coaching sessions virtually.
• The Kino-Eye Center for Visual Innovation: This Houston-based education center, which focuses on the confluence of culture and technology, will offer the Microsoft Virtual Innovation Professionals (VIP) to teach learners how to produce online events, and the and Future Accelerated Skills Training (FAST) workshop series to provide professional skills, technical training, and certification pathways.

Innovation Map spoke with The Ion's senior director Joey Sanchez last month about the programming that's slated for the Midtown innovation hub in 2022.

"I'm focusing specifically on the communities of entrepreneurs, startups, investors — and trying to bridge connections among them," he said on the Houston Innovators Podcast. "This is the biggest challenge in Houston and we want to flip that with density. Density is really the key to solving connections."