NPower and Blue Star Families joined forces Thursday to expand tech career opportunities for military spouses who face unemployment rates four times higher than the national average.
The partnership aims to provide free training in IT, cybersecurity and cloud computing through NPower’s Tech Fundamentals program, along with job placement services for military spouses connected to the Blue Star Families network.
“Military spouses are an incredibly talented and resilient group, yet they face systemic employment challenges,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO and co-founder of Blue Star Families.
The collaboration targets a specific demographic that struggles with career continuity due to frequent relocations and family responsibilities. NPower has set a goal that 30% of its graduates will be military-connected, with spouses making up one-third of that group.
Training and support services
Participants will work toward industry certifications including CompTIA A+, IT Fundamentals+ and Google IT Support while completing an IT Generalist Apprenticeship for hands-on experience.
“By combining our expertise in tech training and job placement with Blue Star Families’ advocacy and employer network, the partnership will maximize our organizations’ shared goals of breaking employment barriers for military spouses,” said Bertina Ceccarelli, NPower CEO.
The program includes career coaching, resume support and connections to military-friendly employers, with Blue Star Families providing additional community support and networking opportunities.
According to a Department of Defense study cited by the organizations, military spouse unemployment significantly exceeds national rates, making targeted training in portable, in-demand skills particularly valuable for this population.
NPower has trained over 12,000 young adults and military-connected individuals since 2008 and currently operates in 16 cities, with plans to expand its annual training capacity to 15,000 students by 2030.
