“Woz U isn’t a school,” said company CEO Jacob Mayhew on more than one occasion during a video conference interview. But it has continued to provide training in software development, cybersecurity, and data science. Billed as an ‘Education-as-a-Service’ provider, it once ran online and in-person coding bootcamps. It hoped to provide K-12 STEM education, a startup accelerator, and a platform to connect tech talent with employers. It laid plans to open campuses in 30 U.S. cities and establish 15 international schools.
Today, the company maintains a more measured outlook. They license their resources to a handful of for-profit colleges and businesses on a white label basis. “We supply content, training, and networking to our partners,” Mayhew said. This summer, they gained approval to conduct a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program in conjunction with the University of Phoenix to provide upskilling to Infosys trainees. Under the program, Infosys pays their apprentices while they both work in house and train with Woz U resources. But they can use federal funds to supplement the cost of that training, get reimbursed for up to 75% of the wages they pay for six months, and get other kickbacks for related costs. Many states also offer tax credits to businesses using this program.