E-Pathways is intended to help unemployed and underemployed individuals contribute to and benefit from regional IT growth. The educational pathway options include: 2 year Computer Programmer Analyst Associate degree program at LCC with new emphasis on software testing concepts, an expanded 2 year Computer Science Associates degree (transfer) program at Lansing Community College and short-term technical skills training. Key components to ensuring the success of the E-Pathways program are the on-site coaching for helping participants in the Computer Science and Computer Programmer Analyst cohorts acquire technical and practical skills to secure entry-level employment, possibly while pursuing the 3rd and 4th years of a Computer Science Bachelor's degree, and/or paid work experience available to help participants transition into full-time employment.
The E-Pathways program is the product of a $4.4 million H1B Department of Labor grant received by the Capital Area IT Council. The IT Council is working with community partners such as CAMW, LCC and local employers to execute this exciting program. E-Pathways was designed to meet the current and future workforce needs of the information technology industry in greater Lansing, so employers are very heavily engaged to ensure the program will produce candidates for their available IT positions.