A Toronto-based organization known as Black Professionals in Tech Networking is aiming to bridge a tech industry “gap” by providing corporations with a direct pathway to hire Black tech talent.
“We believe the unapologetic focus on Black tech talent brings cultural and professional relevance,” the self-described “trusted leader in the Black tech community” states online.
In September, BPTN launched their Obsidi Academy Full-stack Developer bootcamp with an annual goal to graduate and employ 200 Black professionals at TD, the official Obsidi Academy launch sponsor and founding employer.
BPTN claims an ability to connect top Black tech talent with companies—and support them through attracting, hiring, retaining, and promoting, all using the Obsidi platform.
‘”Our Obsidi by BPTN products are designed to equip Black professionals with means for professional development and for our partners, paving opportunities to support the mission of bridging the talent gap for Black professionals,” the organization says. “From talent recruiting tools, to well-networked communities and awards shows that celebrate their accomplishments.”
In December, the Obsidi Academy’s three-month long bootcamp graduated 40 Black professionals from Cohort One as Full-stack Developers.
After that, Obsidi Academy iterated the bootcamp to “reflect the changing tech landscape and meet TD’s business needs.”
In April, Cohort Two graduated more than twice as many professionals—nearly 100—as Associate Software Engineers. BPTN says it is on track to achieve its 200 annual graduation goal by November.
“Obsidi Academy delivers a blue ocean of top-tier talent, disrupting how the tech industry hires diverse talent,” stated Lekan Olawoye, Founder and CEO of BPTN. “BPTN empowers Black professionals to secure employment in their chosen field, and provides companies with talent that increases Black representation in the technology industry.”
Academy alumni that fulfilled Obsidi and TD onboarding requirements are employed at TD as Associate Software Engineers, making “invaluable contributions in various technical departments,” from Software Engineering to Cloud and Streaming.
“We systematically horizon-scan the tech industry and collaborate with both TD’s leadership and tech experts to identify their near and long-term business, tech, and talent needs,” stated Heather Katz, PhD., Head of Obsidi Academy and Learning and Development at BPTN. “We pivot as needed to meet the business demands and facilitate employment of highly skilled Black tech talent that helps TD meet their critical business goals.”
Founded in Toronto in 2018, BPTN has more than 50,000 members and 66 customers.
Software engineers remain in-demand across Canada despite an otherwise dour hiring market.