Geekwise Academy graduated eight new web developers – people of different ages and backgrounds like Bill Ramirez who had lost his job:
“I spent 15 years working retail, I mean I was in retail management, so I was doing alright, but just being able to change careers out of a market that just wasn’t there, here in Fresno, and given the opportunity to become – to change my life basically.” -Bill Ramirez, Geekwise Academy Graduate & New Web Developer.
Now, Ramirez is a paid intern for Bitwise and building a website for the City’s new bus system.
New graduate Roger Chang: “I had no background I this, I was working in a restaurant I was a Tepannyaki chef, I did that for four and a half years, and before that I was working on my dad’s farm.” Roger Chang, Geekwise Academy Graduate & New Web Developer.
At the graduation, Economic Development Corporation CEO Lee Ann Eager, Delfino Niera, the Director of the Department of Social Services, and Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea, who partnered with Bitwise to train DSS clients to become certified web developers.
“It shows the partnerships that government creates with the private sector and in this case our department of social services which are responsible for job training for those folks who are looking for jobs who are on some part of the social service system, partnered with Geekwise Academy, who in and of themselves are very creative and innovative in bringing the high tech industry to Fresno County. – Henry Perea, Fresno County Supervisor.
Jake Soberal – the CEO of Bitwise is trailblazing the tech industry in Fresno.
“We going to equip people with skills that allow them to enter the highest echelons of industry that’s the forward thinking that doesn’t often get attributed to government. – Jake Soberal, CEO, Co-founder, Bitwise.
