Federal Program Opens Path to Technology Industry

Plunging his hand into an opened computer chassis, Vichon Ward sorted through a mess of colorful cables, fans and motherboards. The 28-year-old served eight years as a mechanic in the Air Force, repairing massive jet engines at military bases around the world — but before starting a tech training course here last month, he had never seen the inside of a computer.

“I’ve fixed planes my whole life,” said Ward, pulling out a hard drive. “This is brand new.”

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