LaunchCode, a St. Louis-based nonprofit that helps nontraditional developers find good-paying jobs, has officially opened its third outpost—right here in Kansas City.
The organization has two staffers in Kansas City. They are Anna Welchman, company relations manager, and Kathryn Golden, candidate recruitment manager. They’ll work out of the Sprint Accelerator in downtown Kansas City, Mo.
LaunchCode works with people who might not have four-year degrees in computer science, but have taught themselves how to code. The nonprofit vets them and then helps them find paid apprenticeships and jobs with companies that need tech talent. EyeVerify, blooom and UMB Financial are some of the companies that have signed up.
“People need pathways to good jobs, and companies need talented employees. LaunchCode can address both of these problems while supporting Kansas City businesses and strengthening the community,” said Brendan Lind, LaunchCode’s executive director. “We’ve already seen tremendous interest from local companies that are looking to fill tech jobs. Kansas City’s investment in building a tech ecosystem makes it a natural fit for LaunchCode.”
Besides Kansas City and St. Louis, LaunchCode is active in south Florida. It’ll soon open a location in Providence, R.I.
The nonprofit is receiving help from several groups, including the Kauffman Foundation, the Hall Family Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, Accenture, the Sprint Accelerator and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City. The Missouri Technology Corporation awarded the Kansas City office a $250,000 grant.
Civic leaders hope LaunchCode will help deepen Kansas City’s IT talent pool.
“Not only will LaunchCode’s new office help fill the talent pipeline needed to sustain Kansas City’s entrepreneurial momentum, but also it will reach underemployed people disconnected from tech-industry opportunities,” Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James said. “LaunchCode has established a national model for accelerated technology employment and on-the-job training, and I am glad they are opening an office in Kansas City.”
Are you a business owner who’s interested in working with LaunchCode? Contact Anna Welchman at anna@launchcode.org.
