A Joint Program of The Stamford Partnership & Ferguson Library. Made Possible by the City of Stamford.

Upgrade your digital skills with free, world-class training and certifications

We believe that the workforce of the future will be comprised of digital-savvy lifelong learners. And we’re here to help. TechFWD provides you with the training you need to learn the digital skills that fuel personal and professional growth. Our courses are live, online, and with an experienced human instructor. And yes, the courses are absolutely free. 

Edit Content

Drive growth with some of the industry's most powerful tools.

This class gives you the fundamentals of Google Apps. Designed to help you drive your career forward, build your digital skills or grow your business. The class highlights a number of the industry’s most powerful tools in today’s connected and virtual economy. Selected classes give you access to Google-certified experts. No previous experience needed.

With the tools, tactics, and techniques you’ll learn in this summer series, you’ll be able to accelerate your projects or business. This course series is absolutely free.

Edit Content

Share Your Vision. And help the world discover you.

This class is packed with best practices using HubSpot, Google, SEMRush, and HootSuite. The class is designed for business owners, marketers, and content creators. Learn how to apply content marketing strategy to create, distribute, optimize (SEO), repurpose, and analyze content.

How It Works

Pick Your Path

At launch, TechFWD is offering Content Marketing and Grow with Google courses. At full scale, we'll have dozens of courses and three unique learning paths.

Meet Your Coach

We use a 'navigator' of learning and training. That means that an experienced expert is there to help you every step of the way. No more endless videos and 'help' articles.

Get Started

Courses are 4-weeks and meet Mondays and Thursdays. The Monday class reviews the content and plan for the week. The Thursday class expands upon the week's content with Q&A time. At any point in the week, students may take the quiz if there is one.

Go Official

Most TechFWD classes or course-series come with an associated badge or certification. This lets employers, peers, and potential clients that you're ready and able to drive growth.

Get Busy

Once TechFWD is fully launched, we will have a suite of employer partners, internships, and work study programs. There will be ample opportunities to continue your development through our program and the network you'll build.

Skills that literally pay the bills

Technology skills are crucial to your success in the future workforce, as well as enhancing growth prospects for your business—or maybe even that side hustle you’ve been thinking could really take off. With so many technologies and training options available, finding the right program can be confusing. You don’t have to go it alone. Your TechFWD Navigator will help you define your individual learning plan and facilitate study groups.

2.7M

Open U.S. Jobs That Require at Least "Some" Tech Skills

16%

Annual Tech Industry Forecasted Job Growth

58%

U.S. Adults Seeking to Start a Company or 'side hustle'

Source: USDOL, Statista

Master Certifications

Once you’ve complete a certain number of courses and earned their respective badges, you’ll earn a top-level certification. Our certifications help you show the world that you’ve gone well beyond basic knowledge and skills, and you’re ready drive growth or help others do the same.

Launchpad

Whether you are looking to start or grow a small business, developing a compelling digital storefront and experience is as critical as your presence in the physical world. And with TechFWD, you can build the skills and experiences needed to launch successfully and drive growth.

COMING SOON

Market Ready

You're are well-positioned to promote and sell your services online. Having completed basic TechFWD courses these you've ‘specialized’ in a specific, in-demand area and are ready to work!

COMING SOON

Growth Coach

Coaches can help entrepreneurs, small business owners, and mid-sized companies understand, implement and execute digital marketing tactics. This win-win situation helps upstart and small companies thrive and keep the Growth Coach gainfully employed.

COMING SOON

FAQ

Badges that are related to a platform, like Hubspot's Inbound Marketing certification, are issued by the respective organization. Maintaining 'partner' badges and certifications follows the guidelines published by the partner.

TechFWD's top-level certifications, LaunchPad, Market Ready, and Growth Coach are issued directly by TechFWD. They are earned once and never expire.

It depends, but usually you will need to create an account for each institution that issues a badge. Your 'navigator' will give you the details in a prep session  or office hours before the course starts.

No. Operational costs have been generous covered by the City of Stamford, and there is no tuition or other hidden costs.

Some certifications and badges may have an associated cost, independent of this program, but we do our best to catch and avoid this type of circumstance.

This program is a join venture of the Stamford Partnership and Ferguson Library. Made possible by the City of Stamford.

As far as tech skills are concerned, there generally are none unless it is clearly state up front in the program. Currently, our courses have no educational or experiential prerequisites. In order to take a TechFWD course you must have access to a laptop or desktop computer, an internet connection, and be able to read, write, and speak english at or above a high school level or equivalent.

Please note that the Ferguson Library offers ESL courses, computer time, internet access, and other resources that can help prepare and assist you in accessing TechFWD courses.

Classes are between 25-50 people in order to ensure a dialogue between the students and navigator. Class seats are first-come, first-serve so be sure to sign up early.

You should have received at least one badge or certification. You will be invited to one of our online social networks, and you are free to take as many additional, different courses as you like. Repeating courses is not allowed to make room for other students. At full launch, there will be job placement and work study assistance provided as well.