Supporting the next generation of IT talent

Over 10 years ago, Enterprise Technology Leader Tom Cunningham struck up a conversation with a student interested in an information technology (IT) career.

This conversation stuck with Tom. Soon after, he formed PEPP: the Progressive Educational Partnership Program. By participating in the program, Cleveland-area students get a taste of what a career in IT is like.

So far, more than 1,000 high school students have been part of the program.

“Each fall, we host sessions for local students, giving them a high-level overview of our organization,” says IT Manager Jim Case, who leads PEPP in Cleveland. “From this group, we identify a handful of students with exceptional talent and interest in careers here. We invite them back for a more targeted, three-week onsite session. There, they work with various IT groups to get real, hands-on experience.”

PEPP’s success in Cleveland inspired a duplicate program launched in Colorado Springs. It’s our way to provide a special opportunity to students and establish relationships with the next generation of IT talent.