East Texas has a new path into IT careers. The Legacy Institute for Financial Empowerment (LIFE) and Degree Partners announced an IT Launchpad for working adults. Students can earn industry IT certifications and an online college degree in one guided program. They do not have to quit their jobs. They do not have to leave the region.

Public launch luncheons take place next week. The Lufkin luncheon is Thursday, September 17, at LIFE on Abney Avenue. The Jasper luncheon is Friday, September 18, at LIFE on East Gipson Street. Both events run from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch is provided. Enrollment for the first fall cohort is open now.

The program pairs LIFE’s local IT training, financial coaching, and career support with Degree Partners’ college advising and success coaching. Participants earn Google certifications at no cost through LIFE. Graduates who finish a bachelor’s degree can take a CompTIA Security+ prep path with a sponsored exam within 90 days. Trellis Foundation is supporting the Launchpad with a $450,000 grant.

That grant matters for employers. LIFE notes that only about one in five adults in the region holds a college degree, compared with about one in two nationwide. Entry-level IT roles in Texas are often listed in the $40,000 to $70,000 range. A local pipeline helps close that gap over time. It does not replace the coverage you need this month while students are still in class.

Businesses in Athens should ask a few plain questions. Who keeps email moving? Who owns backups? Who watches security alerts when your go-to person is out? Write those answers down. Then decide what stays in-house and what a managed partner should carry. A Free Assessment is a practical next step. Call 903-675-5431. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Contract customers stay covered around the clock.