ThinkChicago Skill Builders, a new initiative created in partnership with Microsoft & Coding Temple, connects students to tech skill building programs that increase their opportunities to obtain roles in Chicago’s tech & innovation ecosystem.

Skill Builders is a hybrid program that offers students the opportunity to receive free technology certifications and digital badges in the following areas: Data Analytics, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Quality Assurance, AI Fundamentals

We aim to target underrepresented student populations to help achieve the following outcomes:

• Connect students early in their careers to networks in Chicago through unique opportunities for professional development
• Exposing students to careers in tech and innovation
• Help diversify pipelines of tech talent.

Participating students will use a fully online curriculum to learn important hard skills, and earn technology credentials through one of two methods: guided study or self-study. Students also have access to weekly career coaching workshops all provided through Coding Temple.