IBM P-TECH is an innovative public education model enabling students to earn a high school diploma, a free Associate of Applied Science Degree in either Computer Programming or UX Design, and valuable workplace experiences. This fast-growing model is demonstrating the power of public-private partnerships in strengthening education and reinvigorating local economies.

P-TECH consists of rigorous, educational opportunities that are connected to the area's labor market demands and in-line with IBM's computer and IT needs. With all costs covered by the AISD-ACC partnership, students take part in ACC courses during their high school years. Successful completion of the program results in an Associate of Applied Science Degree in either Computer Programming or User Experience Design. 

Students will bolster their career readiness through mentoring, work-based education and paid internships throughout the duration of the program. Proper completion of the program ensures that students graduate with the skills necessary to be 'first-in-line' for job interviews at IBM.

The first P-TECH school, co-created by IBM was launched in Brooklyn, NY in September 2011. Currently, 110 schools are operating across the globe, serving tens of thousands of students. More than 550 large and small companies are partnering with schools across a wide range of STEM disciplines.

The goal is to transform public education and equip graduates with the academic and workplace skills to succeed in STEM fields, helping to address the skills gap so many employers currently face. Industry partners help ensure that students graduate career-ready, providing mentoring, site visits and paid internships. The schools map skills that employers value into the curriculum, preparing P-TECH graduates to enter the workforce after graduation.

Some of the P-TECH graduates will move on to “new collar” jobs, ranging from associate analyst to digital design developer. Others plan to pursue their bachelor’s degrees, and some will do both — maintaining jobs that use the skills they gained in the program while furthering their education.

For more information, please visit the P-TECH website: http://www.ptech.org/