BUiLT REIT
RESTORING PROMISE - RETAINING HOPE
Everyone is promised an opportunity to work, and many Black people have chosen a career in technology. Like everyone else, those who have succeeded in becoming technologists want to retain the ability to deliver technology solutions and earn a living.
Unfortunately, too often, Black people face the trend of being the “Last In and First Out” (LIFO) during layoffs. Some call it, the last hired, and first fired (LHFF). This issue is underscored by the tech industry’s loss of over 240,000 jobs in 2023, a 50% increase from the previous year, with black technologists disproportionately affected. In January 2024, layoffs peaked to a new high.
McKinsey reports that the black tech talent gap is projected to widen over the next decade, exacerbating existing disparities.
For Black people, and many others in tech, added education and technical certifications better level the playing field. People need an edge to keep their jobs, and replace jobs, if they become laid off. People commonly say that women and people of color must be twice as educated to have an equal chance in tech.
The BUiLT REIT Program provides technical training, certifications, mentorship, and job placement services for program participants.
Let's stay certified, right, for life.
Program goal
The BUiLT REIT program targets Black technologists who 1) have recently been laid off and 2) technologists who are currently employed in tech.
Our target is for laid-off Black technologists to be re-employed within six months and employed Black technologists to keeps jobs for at least two years after program completion.
However, the program renews annually with continuing education requirements, and the two-year employability goal extends year after year.
Multiple enrollment periods occur throughout the year.
How You Can Help
The key to this program’s success is engagement from allies, those willing to give, and people with a heart for helping their fellow man.
Mentor Allies
The Program will pair small groups of Participants with Mentors who will hold forums on real-world problems that people face in the workplace, such as dealing with bias, improving negotiation skills, and feeling left out.
Employment Allies
Sign up as an Employment Ally Sponsor to receive information on our Program Graduates. Learn who graduated, what technologies they deliver best, and get to know great employment candidates. Be ready to hire program graduates who are built right.
Training Allies
Help restore the promise by providing training to course Participants.
Contribution Allies
Identify employability initiatives that BUiLT REIT Participants can join. We've done the work to qualify the best technologists, and BUiLT REIT program graduates are excellent candidates for other employability initiatives. Let's find ways to achieve mission-aligned outcomes.
The BUiLT REIT - Employability Initiative
Blacks United in Leading Technology's Employability Initiative, BUiLT REIT, ("retaining employability in tech")creates a lifetime certification program that identifies technologists who work extra to maintain employability.
Think about it. Some people stay employed. Some, if they get laid off, get reemployed right away. Why is that?
Savvy technologists continually learn and grow - both in their technical skills, and for personal development. Those who are BUiLT REIT also stay in community, being mentored, mentoring others, and volunteering to give back.
Employers and allies are a vital part of the program.
- Employers who join receive contact information on the
program graduates and special access to those in training.
- Individual Allies help in many ways, providing training and
mentoring opportunities.
- Organizations with similar training
opportunities for Participants are included in the BUiLT REIT
program.
Participants leverage BUiLT’s extensive network of members, chapters, sponsors, and allies.
Participants who are accepted into the initial 90-day BUiLT REIT Program get:
•Free professional development and technology training
•Mentoring
•Technical certification opportunities
For BUiLT REIT graduates, they also receive:
•A unique, online, digital credential medallion
•Added success insignia for accelerated performance
•Certificate of completion
•Employment referrals to corporate partners
•Enrollment in add-on technical certification programs for Best Achievers.
Program Description
Free Training
for program participants in professional development and current technology disciplines
Certification
industry-recognized certifications (CompTIA, ISC2, SANS GIAC, etc.)
Mentorship
with world-class mentors
Employment Referrals
course graduates are introduced to employers upon graduation and if they get laid-off
Employers, partners, and Donors
Learning Paths and Mentoring
The BUiLT REIT program relies on learning opportunities that can be completed in 90 days.
Technology Development Topics
Multiple technology learning paths are available for Participants to choose two
o SANS Transformational Leader (limited enrollments) w/ GIAC certification
o SANS Operational Leader (limited enrollments) w/ GIAC certification
o ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity w/ industry cert
o SAFe ScrumMaster w/ industry cert
o CompTIA A+ 1000
o CompTIA Cloud Plus+ Basic
o CompTIA Cloud+ Intermediate
o CompTIA Cloud+ Advanced
o CompTIA Security+ (SYO-501)
o CompTIA Security+ (SYO-601)
o General Cybersecurity
o Information Technology & Services
o Software Development
o Project Management
o Java Programming
o Game Development
o Data Analytics
o Data Science Analytics
o Artificial Intelligence
o Artificial Intelligence Automation
o Quality Management
o Six Sigma
Professional Development Topics
Several professional development learning paths will be available for Participants to choose at least two
o General personal development
o Managing stress
o Leadership and management
o General business development
o Corporate governance and social responsibility
o Professionalism in the office
o Inclusive leadership
Business and Leadership Development Topics
Several business development learning paths will be available for Participants to choose at least two
o Accounting and Finance
o Human Resources
o Marketing
o Business Administration
o Entrepreneurship
o Introduction to Cyber Law
Mentoring
Multiple mentoring sessions will be available for Participants to choose at least two within each 90-day period.
o Managing conflict on teams
o Creating diverse and inclusive teams
o Leading from the front
o Beyond the emergency fund
o Thriving as the new leader in tech
o Thriving under a new leader in tech
Learning Path Summary
Summary coming soon.
Program Targets and Metrics
Participation will be tracked to show attendance at launch and each mentoring session.
Impact tracking for participants who seek employment will be made at four intervals:
• At program completion
• Three months after program completion
• Six months after program completion
• Two years after program completion
Read MoreLess
For participants who were employed upon beginning the program, monitoring will be at:
•6 months
•12 months
•18 months
•24 months after graduation
The monitoring will track and certify employability for 2 years, as extended each year the Participants remain in the program.
Target for the program include:
•95% of the participants complete the Program
•80% of the Restoration graduates get reemployed within 6 months
•90% of the Retention graduates remain employed for 2 years
UNDERSTAND THE basics
FAQ
What are key dates to know?
September 24 – October 15 – Candidate & Mentor Selection
October 21 @ 6 pm CT – Participant Program Launch
October 22 – January 22 – 90-Day Training Period
October 24 @ 6 pm CT – Mentor Orientation
January 31 – Reporting Begins
What are the requirements to participate?
BUiLT Participants must:
- Attend the Launch Program
- Attend at least two of three Check-In Sessions
- Complete at least four of eight training pathways
- Report their employment status for 24 months
- Agree to the BUiLT REIT program guidelines
The program is free to participate for BUiLT members. (annual membership begin at $45 a year.) Non-member applicants will pay a fully refundable $50 donation, refunded upon attendance at the mandatory initial virtual Launch Session on October 17, 2024 from 6 – 7:30 pm CT.
How are participants selected?
You are qualified as a Participant if
- Anyone may apply however sponsor funds may have stipulations to first accept certain demographics (location, gender, race, sexual orientation,
- You are a technologist who is currently laid-off, through no fault of your own, within the prior six months of application
- A technologist that is currently employed in tech for at least 5 years
- You must have an up to date LinkedIn profile and resume
Does it cost anything to be a participant?
There is no cost to apply. The Program is free for BUiLT Members, and individuals may join BUiLT, if they desire, after being selected in the BUiLT REIT program. BUiLT Membership ranges from $45 per year, upward, depending on your role in tech (e.g. Getting Into Tech, Tech Educator, Technologist, Tech Business Owner). Click here for information on Membership Signup. If needed, inquire about hardship scholarships that may be available for BUiLT REIT candidates through participating employer partners.
Can I be a mentor?
Yes! Mentors in personal development and for general employability are needed. We would love to hear from you. Apply through the links above.
What do employers get for participating?
Employer sponsorships are for 12-month periods.
Employer Sponsors get 1) recognition as a sponsor, 2) a Capabilities Portfolio on each of the expanding list of yearly Participants, and 3) two customized e-mail messages to all Participants and Graduates during the sponsorship year.
Premiere Sponsors also receive a facilitated virtual Reception with the Program Graduates.
Sign-up as an Employer Ally here.
Donation
Donate to the BUiLT REIT Program and make a difference. Donations are used for training, certification, and program management. No gift is too small. Your donation can impact the lives of black tech professionals and every generation that comes after them.
If you’d like, we would love to include you in the journey by sharing the BUiLT REIT stories that you have impacted.
You can make an open donation, specify demographic Participants, or donate to support a specific number of Participants.
It's easy to do good.
let's all make a difference
Let's restore the promise and allow Black technologists to retain hope that their education, certifications, and experience in tech can help their families, the communities where they live, and society overall.
