Philadelphia, December 12, 2023 – Launchpad, an innovative workforce development program that serves high school students, proudly announces the appointment of Rob Thomas as the inaugural Vice President of Technology Instruction.
With over 20 years of experience across the tech industry and workforce training initiatives, Rob most recently served as the VP of Technical Education for Launchcode in St. Louis, Missouri.
In his new role, Rob will spearhead the design and implementation of the program’s final stage: an intense 12-month software development course aligned with industry standards and local employer demand. This pivotal phase will ensure students are well-prepared and highly competitive in the dynamic tech economy upon graduation.
“Joining Launchpad is an opportunity to drive impactful change in Philadelphia’s tech ecosystem,” remarked Rob Thomas. “I’m passionate about cultivating tech talent, especially within communities abundant in potential but lacking resources. By leveraging the capabilities of emerging technologies, I am dedicated to shaping a workforce-ready future for young adults.”
“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Rob Thomas as our inaugural Vice President of Technology Instruction,” said Dannyelle Austin, Executive Director of Launchpad. “He brings a wealth of expertise from the technology industry and a proven track record in developing curriculum that effectively engages individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly black and brown communities, to enter the tech sector.”
The initial cohort of students has completed eight months of programming and has commenced learning Python, a coding language. Upon completing 200 hours of Python programming, students will earn their PCEP, an industry-recognized Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certification, before high school graduation.
“I’m excited for the next part of the program, diving deeper into coding skills,” said Nasirah Solomon, a Launchpad student. “Having Mr. Thomas join the Launchpad team is great. We have shared life experiences, so I know we’ll learn a ton from him.”
On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Launchpad will celebrate the acceptance of students into the second cohort. After two months of recruitment and collaboration with various school partners, the program received 188 applications from 11th and 12th-grade students across 41 high schools in Philadelphia, marking a significant increase from the 98 applications received last year, representing only 15 high schools.
Launchpad was recently awarded a 3-year $1.5M grant from the William Penn Foundation as part of their Great Learning program area.
Launchpad is a Building 21 initiative.
About Launchpad
Launchpad is a workforce development program in Philadelphia building accelerated pathways connecting high school students to high paying tech careers. The program starts in the junior or senior year of high school and takes two and a half years to complete. Through our programming, students gain valuable industry exposure, receive comprehensive software development skills training and certifications, and take college courses. Upon completion, our students emerge equipped with the necessary credentials, technical skills, durable skills, and practical experience, empowering them to evolve into competent professionals fully prepared to excel in the modern tech workplace. Learn more about Launchpad and connect with us on X and Instagram (@launchpadphilly).
About Building 21
Building 21 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization reimagining education through personalized learning. Across all of our work, we are implementing a competency-based approach to teaching, learning, and workforce development that promotes transparency, emphasizes growth, ensures mastery and activates young people to take ownership of their pathways to their futures. Our initiatives include 2 Lab Schools, the Learning Innovation Network, and Launchpad. Learn more about Building 21, and connect with us on X (@b21network).
