America just came off of the longest government shutdown in history. Thousands of federal workers were furloughed without pay until Congress approved a budget. For many who struggle to make ends meet, it was a difficult time. At 30 Bird, we wondered what we could do to help.
That’s when 30 Bird’s sister company, Phoenix TS in Columbia Maryland, took the opportunity to do something good for the community. With teaching materials donated by 30 Bird, Phoenix TS offered a cybersecurity class free of charge to any furloughed worker.
Nineteen federal employees took advantage of the offer and learned the latest in cybersecurity methods from the bottom up. The course meets all CompTIA Security + standards. Participants each now have professional-level certifications.
Phoenix TS president Ben Tchoubineh credits his employees with coming up with the idea. He says he asked them, “How can we help?” This was their creative solution. They then reached out to 30 Bird, who was happy to provide the materials included in the classroom.
Students had the option to complete the course live or online, thanks to 30 Bird’s flexible learning system. The week-long course is normally priced at $2400. The participants earned a valuable qualification and took an important step toward establishing a career in IT.
The students in the course left with more than a new set of skills. They now have broader professional horizons and more opportunities. Thanks to Phoenix TS and 30 Bird, there’s a bright side to this hard-luck story for nineteen of our federal workers.
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