Press Release: June 29, 2021
(Frankfort, Kentucky) Interapt, a Louisville, Kentucky-based software and digital workforce development company, is bringing training and opportunity to Frankfort, Kentucky through a new collaboration with the City of Frankfort and consulting firm Ernst and Young LLP (EY US).
Interapt will launch a multi-week skills training cohort in Frankfort later this summer. Those who successfully complete the program will be ready to begin careers as data analysts – helping provide large companies with insights into their financial and operational datasets to improve their financial and operational efficiency. At least 12 of the graduates will enter Interapt’s registered apprenticeship program with EY, solving real-world problems for one of the world’s largest professional services companies.
By working with employers like EY for each of its skills training programs, Interapt identifies needs and demand. Interapt then partners with workforce training firm General Assembly to design a curriculum that offers broad tech skills– such as programming languages like React, Java and Python – and training specialized for the specific employer and career path. In the case of this cohort, students will learn specialized applications like Power Bi and Tableau. This combination of training means graduates are prepared to start work immediately, while also gaining skills that will expand their opportunities for life.
Governor Andy Beshear hailed the program, saying, “Thank you to Interapt, EY and the city of Frankfort for this incredible new opportunity. And thank you to the Kentuckians who are going to seize this opportunity and learn skills that will help us build a world-class workforce and a better Kentucky for all.”
Interapt CEO Ankur Gopal, a native Kentuckian, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® award winner, and Endeavor Entrepreneur offered, “My vision has always been to create 10,000 technology jobs in the Commonwealth, because I know people here have the aptitude to develop the skills that propel them into the future of work.”
The training will come at no cost to students, through the generous support of the Richard and Anna Marie Rosen Charitable Fund and the City of Frankfort. Funds from the Rosen Charitable Fund are available for graduates of Frankfort Independent Schools who are selected for the program. The City of Frankfort funds will go to Frankfort residents or those willing to relocate to Frankfort for a minimum of one additional year after the one-year apprenticeship program. With this investment and a commitment of additional funds from Interapt, a cohort of 15-24 participants will be selected for the program.
Mayor Layne Wilkerson remarked, “The Frankfort Skills Apprenticeship Program puts Frankfort on a path to turn momentum into progress. This city investment catalyzed by the support of Interapt and the Richard and Anna Marie Rosen Charitable Fund will return skilled workers, taxpayers, and citizens who understand that Frankfort is a great place to live and raise a family. Knowledge workers, like those trained by Interapt, possess the skills necessary to compete in the 21st century. These apprentices and the jobs they represent for Frankfort will help diversify our economy, one job at a time. The path to progressis long, but we will get there step by step.”
At the conclusion of the program, many of the students will enter a registered apprenticeship program, approved by the Department of Labor. As apprentices, individuals are placed in year-long engagements between Interapt and other involved companies such as EY.
Greg Pope, Louisville Office Managing Partner, EY, said, “At EY, we strongly believe in committing to the local communities we serve as well as investing in the workforce of the future. The impact that entrepreneurs like Ankur can have on both business and talent is vital to a community’s growth and it’s important to help create pathways to enable their success. Working with the City of Frankfort, working with Interapt on this strategic program will help us bridge the skills gap and continue to strengthen the Commonwealth.”
The City of Frankfort sought out Interapt as part of its Remote Worker Initiative, which supports people who live in Frankfort while working for companies in different cities. Ankur Gopal said of Interapt’s commitment to Frankfort, “From the momentI first met with Mayor Wilkerson in January, it was clear that he and the entire City Commission were committed to bringing economic and educational opportunities to the citizens of Frankfort. I’m grateful that we are able to match their commitment with EY to bring those kinds of opportunities to Frankfort, and those who may have typically been left behind by the tech economy.”
“General Assembly is proud of our partnership with Interapt and are thrilled to be expanding the reach of this transformational program to Frankfort,”said Lisa Lewin, CEO of General Assembly. “In this moment, we have the best chance to help workers pandemic-proof their careers at scale by building regional collaboratives of educators, businesses, policymakers, and civic leaders like this one to provide in-demand digital skills and more equitable career pathways to individuals everywhere.”
Dr. Christopher Brown, President of Kentucky State University, stressed the importance of 21st-century skills training for today’s students, “The Interapt program helps ensure employment pathways for all of our students. Collaborations like this create lasting opportunities that ensure all students prosper.”
Dr. Houston Barber, Superintendent of Frankfort Independent Schools, offered, “The Interapt program transforms lives and brings the world to students’ and graduates’ doorsteps. The generosity of ardent supporters, the Richard and Anna Marie Rosen Charitable Fund, offers real outcomes that make lives better. We are so grateful for their investment in Frankfort Independent’s graduates.”
Gov. Beshear stressed the Commonwealth’s commitment to educational investment as well.“ My administration will always put education first, because investing in our people means investing in our commonwealth’s future,” Beshear said.
Applicants must be high school graduates to apply and must have a valid address in the City of Frankfort. The unique nature of this program means participants will earn a stipend during training, removing a barrier for trainees. Intellectually curious individuals ready to help build a thriving, inclusive technology ecosystem, are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted for 90 days.
About Interapt
Interapt, based in Louisville, KY, offers solutions that bridge the gap between business, technology and the people who make it happen – with expertise in business innovation, digital transformation, and IT workforce apprenticeships. Interapt launched its workforce development program, Interapt Skills, in 2015 to empower humans with the technical, business, and life skills needed to meet the expectations of today’s employers. To find out how we can help your business, visit https://interapt.com/contact/.
About EY
EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.
Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst& Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about howEY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
