Help York Embrace the Future by Supporting The Fortress Initiative

Join the initiative to bring the community together for embracing technology and technology education in preparation of today and tomorrow's jobs.

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The Fortress Academy

The Fortress Academy is Central Pennsylvania's FIRST and ONLY licensed computer coding bootcamp. The demand for new technical talent has increased at such a rapid rate that traditional educational models have had a hard time adapting.

The Fortress Academy is a licensed higher education institution that offers accelerated (program length is 12 weeks), intensive, code training programs. Our training courses cover multiple languages and frameworks with the aim of creating at minimum “Junior Level” computer programmers for a variety of positions or advancing technical skills of students with a CS or Engineering Degree.

Our graduates will be ready to dive into any project or team, adding immediate value as a Junior Level Programmer. Many projects require the basics of programming with a growth or “learn to learn” mindset rather than the traditional Computer Science or Engineering Degree. With more and more companies building their own in house technology the need for a middle layer of technology worker is emerging. Rather than looking for a “Blue Collar” employee, companies are looking for a “Code Collared” worker.

Code schools have been gaining traction for one simple reason…they work. The gap in the current job market is huge and continuing to grow. Programs like The Fortress Academy Computer Programming Diploma can serve as a catalyst for not only local business but as an opportunity for more minorities, woman and veterans to enter the field of STEM as a career.

The Fortress Academy RoboticsThe Fortress Academy Coding BootcampProvide your information to download a FREE coding bootcamp fact sheet and find out if a coding bootcamp is right for you!

The Fortress of York

The world is changing at an exponential rate. From self driving cars, to huge advancements in Artificial Intelligence, technology is beginning to disrupt every industry, regardless of age, type or location. Our communities will no longer remain immune to these changes, able to sit on the sidelines as other, larger cities take the lead. With organizations from the White House to Economic Experts predicting future job losses in the millions, the time to act is now. Inspired by the York Plan of 1940, The Fortress Initiative was formed as a way to help strengthen our communities for this coming change and bring access to technology to every citizen, regardless of age, race or socio-economic background. As a first step, The Fortress Initiative has taken control of the western National bank in downtown York PA and is creating the regions first “Disruption Center”. Focused on exponential technology, awareness and education, the Fortress of York will be an 8000 square foot, STEM, Robotics and computer programming center. With space for Start ups, Established Technology companies, Individual Technologists and Accelerated Education and Training Providers, The Fortress of York will serve as a hub for the regions Disruptive Thinkers.
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Why Now?

There is an incredible shift happening in our world today. Every industry is struggling to find a solid footing, the world is indeed being disrupted. Our mission at The Fortress Initiative is to prepare communities just like ours for this uncertain future. But it’s not only our mission, it’s our passion. We’ve had the chance to bring this message to communities, companies and CEO’s all across the nation. Watch “Embracing Disruption” as delivered by our President, John McElligott.

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The York Plan

You can see it, touch it, feel it. Technology surrounds us and the advances of the past decade have begun to catapult innovation at an exponential rate. Technology is affecting every industry. From manufacturing to medical, education to small business, the demand for new skills and a competitive edge is everywhere. Experts predict that in the coming decade over ⅓ of the population may be unemployable. Not unemployed, unemployable

The world is changing...

The last time the world changed this much and this fast was World War II. During this time it was the small cities and rural areas of the United States that banded together, came up with a plan and leapt into action. They stood up to the overwhelming difficulties before them...and they came out the other side, as one nation, victorious.

Inspired by a 70 year old plan from World War II entitled “The York Plan”, we at The Fortress believe the time for small communities to band together and lead is once again upon us. In the face of great change our cities and counties stood up to the challenges before us and saved our nation. We did it before, we can do it again.

WE BELIEVE THAT SMALL CITIES AND RURAL AREAS DESERVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS BIG CITIES WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY TRAINING

WE BELIEVE THAT THE CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY AROUND COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, ROBOTICS, MANUFACTURING, AND EMPLOYMENT PRESENT A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE COMMUNITIES TO LEAPFROG INTO THE FUTURE

WE BELIEVE IN THE PEOPLE OF THESE COMMUNITIES AND THEIR CAPABILITY TO ADAPT TO THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE

WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY, REGARDLESS OF RACE, SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPERATIVE OUR CHILDREN BE IMMERSED IN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY IF THEY ARE TO COMPETE AND CREATE THE JOB MARKET OF THE FUTURE

WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE AND THAT OUR FUTURE LIES IN A COMMUNITY OF COMMUNITIES CONNECTED AND WORKING TOGETHER TO OVERCOME OUR SHARED CHALLENGES