Private school plans to boost graduation in tech fields

While state universities gear up to provide 31,000 additional computer science graduates during the next 20 years, a private, for-profit school has begun its own effort to add to the tech pipeline.

Virginia Beach-based ECPI University has announced a program designed to boost the number of computer science graduates it produces in coming decades by 3,000.

“This means ECPI University will produce more than 18,000 graduates over the next 20 years,” ECPI President Mark Dreyfus said in a statement.

Last week, Gov. Ralph Northam announced an agreement with 11 state universities, which will use $1.1 billion in state funds produce to 31,000 more bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science and related fields during the next two decades.

The state plan grew out of Virginia’s successful bid to Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc., which is creating its second headquarters in Arlington.

One facet of ECPI’s program is attracting more students by building their confidence in tackling a computer science curriculum.

ECPI plans to begin a series of “IT confidence camps” where prospective students can gain a better understanding of the field.

During these events, students will engage in a series of exercises designed to gauge their aptitude for programs such as cybersecurity, network security and software development.

ECPI said its initiative will include scholarships for students who commit to working in Virginia for at least two years after graduation and subsidized vouchers for students and graduates seeking professional certifications