RELEASE: LaunchCode Partners with City of Miami

MIAMI, FL — LaunchCode, a nonprofit founded by Square co-founder Jim McKelvey, announced today that it will partner with the City of Miami to place technology apprentices across a number of departments. LaunchCode opened its South Florida office in 2015 and has partnered with more than 100 local companies to place more than 80 technologists in jobs and apprenticeships in tech. In addition to placing qualified candidates into jobs, the nonprofit also hosts computer programing classes and bootcamps in conjunction with Miami Dade College. LaunchCode is generously supported by national and local organizations, including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

“LaunchCode is eager to work as a technology partner with the City of Miami, which continues to set a national example of how innovative partnerships can grow a tech talent ecosystem and create economic opportunity throughout a region,” said Mark Bauer, Vice President of Operations at LaunchCode.

“LaunchCode presents an exciting opportunity to give local talent valuable, real-world technology experience. Apprenticeships will initially place candidates in IT project teams to build meaningful business solutions, and potentially result in permanent placement as full time positions become available at the City of Miami,” said Kevin Burns, Chief Information Officer at the City of Miami.

“This partnership between LaunchCode and the City of Miami creates a new pathway for emerging technologists from diverse backgrounds to help solve our community’s most pressing problems. It’s an important step as we commit to strengthen collaboration between City government and Miami’s growing tech scene,” added Mike Sarasti, Chief Innovation Officer at the City of Miami.

“This collaboration will create a pool of fresh talent for city government, while providing new economic opportunities to Miami’s diverse citizens. It will help us meet civic needs while advancing civic innovation, promoting the growth of our community of changemakers,” said Matt Haggman, Miami program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which provided major support to help bring LaunchCode to Miami in December 2014.

About LaunchCode

LaunchCode is a nonprofit organization founded by Square co-founder Jim McKelvey that partners with over 500 companies nationwide to offer paid apprenticeships and jobs for aspiring developers and technologists. Learn more at www.launchcode.org.

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