LaunchCode to hold information session at Columbia College

LaunchCode, a St. Louis based non-profit, will be holding an information session Monday, May 4, at Columbia College. LaunchCode works to pair unemployed individuals who want to work in the technology industry with companies in need of individuals with IT skills. After candidates perform an aptitude test and an interview where they tell LaunchCode employees about their dream job, the organization gets to work finding the perfect match. Currently, the non-profit has partnerships with several national and international brands, including Panera Bread, GE, Anheuser Busch and MasterCard.

Co-founded by Jim McKelvey, who is also the co-founder of Square, Brendan Lind, Dan Lohman, Chris Oliver and Chris Sommers, LaunchCode already has offices in St. Louis and Southern Florida and is looking to expand nationally, with plans to open a Kansas City location already in place. State representative Kip Kendrick, who is working with Columbia College and LaunchCode to organize the event, believes the organization’s symbiotic nature could help solve a prevalent issue among Columbia businesses. “I think this event will help LaunchCode understand Columbia and what local businesses could offer while also helping businesses find a way to fill their need for qualified IT professionals,” said Kendrick.

As LaunchCode looks at potentially expanding their services to Columbia, Jeff Branscom, Public Relations coordinator at Columbia College, says the school is looking forward to collaborating with the non-profit. “Columbia College is working to establish our role in the entrepreneurial eco-system within Columbia, and we believe LaunchCode is an exciting development for the city’s burgeoning start-ups,” said Branscom.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 10 a.m. on May 4 in Bixby Lecture Hall, which is located in the Brouder Science Center on Columbia College’s campus.