FIRST, WE HOPE you’re all well and staying that way. The coronavirus has created a whole new meaning to the term “March Madness.” Most of us in the Tech world are planners, and we generally have a backup plan if our original plan fails. COVID-19 has pushed us past our backup plans to a new reality, with schools and churches closed for the near term and almost every event being cancelled or postponed.

What hasn’t been cancelled or postponed are the apprenticeship programs sponsored by ACDS. Our training partners—ACA, Xpanxion, and UA Global—didn’t miss a beat, immediately adapting to a remote cohort attending by WIFI. The three apprenticeship programs have all remained on schedule. As for the ACDS team, during the next few weeks, we will be primarily working remotely as well. We’re open for business, but will not actually be in the office.

Earlier this month, Marie, Lonnie, and I had an opportunity to brief the Office of Skills Development Board on ACDS and our work. The Board members were very interested in the Registered Apprenticeship Program for IT occupations, and expressed positive support. We thank OSD Director Cody Waits for the invitation to come tell our story.

–Bill Yoder,

Executive Director