By mid-January, everything was starting to take shape. TLC Tech Solutions wasn’t just a concept anymore—we had our mission, our nonprofit framework, and a clear path forward. But there was one more critical piece to define: How would our workforce development program actually work?
The answer was clear—we needed structured career tracks that would give our trainees multiple pathways to success. We weren’t just training IT professionals; we were creating a system that ensured everyone who came through our program had a clear next step, whether they wanted to find a job, grow within TLC, or launch their own business.
The Three Career Tracks
We officially introduced three distinct career pathways:
1️⃣ Employment Track – For trainees who want to work in IT at major firms or organizations. We provide:
- Industry-recognized certifications to boost credibility.
- Hands-on experience with real IT challenges.
- Job placement support to connect them with employers who need skilled IT professionals.
2️⃣ TLC Growth Track – For those who want to stay and grow within TLC Tech Solutions, helping us scale our mission while advancing their own careers. This track includes:
- Opportunities to take on leadership roles within TLC.
- Advanced training in IT consulting, compliance, and nonprofit infrastructure.
- A path toward management or specialized IT roles within our organization.
3️⃣ Entrepreneurial Track – For trainees who want to start their own IT businesses. This track provides:
- Access to nonprofit clients who need affordable, reliable IT support, creating a built-in customer base for new IT entrepreneurs.
- Business training and mentorship to develop leadership skills.
- Cross-training opportunities to help them understand both the IT and business aspects of running a company.
Why This Matters
We didn’t want TLC to just be another training program. We wanted it to be a launchpad for IT professionals—a place where people could develop real skills, gain practical experience, and have a clear direction for their future.
By structuring our workforce development around these three tracks, we created something sustainable and scalable. Whether someone wants to work for a big IT firm, grow into a leadership role with TLC, or start their own business, they have a supported, guided path to get there.
We need our IT professionals to care about their work and feel invested in their careers. Our career tracks ensure that trainees don’t just enter the workforce—they have room to grow, develop leadership skills, and stay engaged.
And that’s something we’ll talk more about in a future episode.Looking Ahead
With these career tracks in place, we were ready to start recruiting our first wave of trainees. The next step? Bringing in our first intern and putting our model to the test.
