'Removing barriers': Utah military spouses can get free IT certification

HILL AIR FORCE BASE — A collaboration between Hill Air Force Base and Weber State University is giving military spouses a chance to advance their careers through free education.

The Rosie Project, named after World War II icon Rosie the Riveter, offers a tuition-free, 6-month information technology certification program that includes free certification exams and child care.

WSU explained that military families move frequently, making it hard for military spouses to settle into a career or be seen as hireable. The Rosie Project's courses are designed to prepare military spouses, current or former, for specialized work accepted across the Department of Defense. This certification allows spouses' work qualifications to travel with them from one military base to another.

"We're removing barriers for military spouses and building a program that enables them to propel their career," said Aniza Brown, Rosie Project co-founder, according to Hill Air Force Base. "We're going to invest in these people so they can have meaningful employment at every stage of their spouse's military service."

The project is designed to allow two cohorts each year. It took on its first set of students in February, taught by WSU's School of Computing faculty and enhanced by the 309th Software Engineering Group at Hill Air Force Base. Its second cohort began earlier this month.

"Military spouses are the backbone of supporting our warfighters," says a statement from the project's website. "The Rosie Project is dedicated to removing barriers of entry for military spouses as the need for Information Technology and Cyber Security specialists grows."

The project is unique to Hill Air Force Base and is only offered in person in Ogden. But project leaders say they are considering expanding to other bases in the future.

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