About the American Dream Academy & Learner Support Initiative

The American Dream Academy, created by the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, was a tuition-free, six-month, self-paced online technology training program for young adults aged 18 to 24. The program included 14 technology certificate courses offered through Coursera from companies such as Google, Meta, IBM, and Salesforce as well as soft skills courses. Program completers earned an industry-recognized credential, which is very valuable in today’s competitive labor market.

The Tech Council of Delaware was selected to promote the American Dream Academy in Delaware. To make the program more impactful, the Council secured grant funding from Bank of America to implement the Learner Support Initiative as a way to complement the technical training and enhance the learner experience. The grant enabled the Council to utilize the services of a Learner Support Coach to assist Delaware learners with developing good study habits and persisting to program completion.  This state-wide strategy helped to build an inclusive tech talent pipeline while also including young Delawareans in the state’s tech ecosystem in a meaningful way. The Council graduated its Delaware cohort of the American Dream Academy on March 22, 2024.

Click the button below to access the Final Report.

Tech Ready Delaware

A replacement for the American Dream Academy

The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream concluded the American Dream Academy and is no longer accepting new enrollments. To continue supporting Delaware residents interested in a self-paced way to prepare for technology careers, the Tech Council of Delaware designed Tech Ready Delaware, a replacement program to the American Dream Academy. This enhanced upskilling and workforce development program aims to build on the lessons learned and successes of the American Dream Academy and Learner Support Initiative. If funded, the program will recruit young adults from economically and socially disadvantaged communities and support them with earning a digital proficiency certification, acquiring an industry credential through Coursera, and developing essential durable skills. Learners benefit from supportive services including mentorship, resume writing assistance, interview preparation, and connections with local employers and recruiters. Graduates receive a complimentary one-year Aspiring Tech Professional membership with the Tech Council of Delaware.

The Council's two 2024 Yes, We Tech! summer interns, Ava Plagge and Michelle Zhou, assisted with designing key aspects of the Tech Ready Delaware program related to marketing, recruitment, course offerings, and learner supports. A Congressionally Directed Spending application was submitted to Delaware’s Congressional Delegation in March 2024 to secure funding for the development and implementation of Tech Ready Delaware. A funding announcement is expected in the Spring of 2025.