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CREATE OPPORTUNITY IS AN INITIATIVE OF THE FOUNDATION THAT INCREASES THE SUPPLY OF HIGH-DEMAND SOFTWARE ENGINEERS THROUGH A SCREENING, TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIP MODEL DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUALS FROM DIVERSE, NON-TECHNICAL BACKGROUNDS. THE FOUNDATION HAS DEVELOPED A UNIQUE, HIGH-IMPACT CURRICULUM THAT YIELDS DIFFERENTIATED RESULTS. TO DATE, 100% OF THE FOUNDATION'S APPRENTICES HAVE BEEN PLACED AT A MEDIAN SALARY IN EXCESS OF $50,000 PER YEAR WITH HEALTH INSURANCE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.CREATE OPPORTUNITY'S PROGRAM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH CAROLINA'S TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM, AND CONSISTS OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPOMENT, SOFT SKILLS AND LIFE COUNSELING, FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIPS TO ENSURE LONG-TERM SUCCESS.CURRENT INDICATORS OF SUCCESS INCLUDE:1. STUDENT ENROLLMENT AND COMPLETION RATES - GRADUATION RATE HAS IMPROVED WITH EVERY COHORT FOR 2.5 YEARS. COMPLETION RATE = 61%;2. Job placement/retention rates - % of graduates employed in their field within 6 months of graduation = 100%, graduates who remain employed after 1 year = 92%;3. Skills proficiency - regular testing to measure proficiency in key technical skills;4. Program efficiency - regular feedback from instructors to asses curriculum effectiveness and student progress; and5. Income improvement - average participant income increases 76% upon placement in first apprenticeship, potential earnings of $1.2 million over 20 years.

Annually, the Foundation provides an amount applied for and disbursed to the South Carolina State Technical College System to support economic development and technical education.