Free Digital Literacy and Computer Advancement Classes
In 2025, OpenHub's Tech Academy classes are sponsored by Dutchess One Stop, so they are FREE for everyone!
Location: Classes are held at the Dutchess One Stop Career Center - 191 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Program Objective: Provide technical and digital skills training and certifications to underserved populations in and around the City of Poughkeepsie through educational courses and workforce training.
Come by any time and -
- ask questions about the program or computers
- receive advice about a project, or
- start working through our course materials with guidance from one of our teachers
Tech Foundations 1 - Digital Literacy: Starting Tuesday 9/2. We will be covering computer and IT basics.
Tech Foundations 2 - Digital Fluency: Starting Tuesday 9/23. We will cover commonly used computer programs like Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Docs, and Google Sheets.
Tech Foundations 3 - Digital Effieiency: Starting Tuesday 10/14. We will cover more advanced topics like web site development, intermediate excel and google sheets for data analysis, computer troubleshooting, and networks and systems.
Can't make it?
Submit your interest form here
About the Program
Our Tech Academy program was previously provided at the Newburgh Free Library from March 1, 2023 to March 1, 2024 and sponsored by the NYS DOL.
Key Outcomes for Tech Academy Newburgh:
- 167 community members trained
- 22 course instance delivered
- 17 community meetups, specialty workshops and conferences provided
- 72% course completion rate
- 62 Chromebooks distributed
Program Title: Tech Academy by OpenHub on behalf of Newburgh Free Library, NY (2023)
Objective: Provide technical and digital skills training and certifications to underserved populations in and around the City of Newburgh through educational courses and bootcamps.
Serving unemployed / underemplyoed 18+ adults in Newburgh at large and the Hudson Valley, assisting with upskilling & reskilling.in tech / with tech.
Bridging the gap between you and the tech industry, turning your dream into reality.
Practical tech skills taught by industry practitioners.
- Instructors led classes
- Project Based Learning
- Mentorship support and Office hours
- Community support
- Networking and Interview practice
- Study groups toward certifications
- We also have other networking events including tech webinars, technology panel discussions and interview preparation workshops throughout the year
We are working on the grant opportunities to offer these additional classes for free to qualified applicants!
Interest form is available here
Three Tiers of Courses:
- Foundational - 3 levels. Essential for the basic computer / digital office / remote work
- Intermediate - 4 parallel tracks, can be taken separately. Career exploratory while solidifying your digital skills
- Advanced / Professional career in tech - 3 parallel tracks
Each course can be taken separately.
Taken sequentially these courses can solidify your knowledge and bring you to the next level of skills advancement and professional development
The Bootcamp level courses can lead you to the professional career in tech!
The knowledge assessment is required to enroll for intermediate and advanced level courses
Tech Fundamentals – Getting Started
5 weeks 3 classroom hours, one study session per week
Tech Foundations 1 - Information Technology Basics – Hardware, Internet, Email, Windows and Mac
Tech Foundations 2 – Information Skills – Managing Your Digital World, Word Processing, Social Media. Job Search
Tech Foundations 3 – Building Websites, Understanding Data, Networks and Systems, Programming Languages, Computer Repair
Intermediate Courses – Finding a Specialty
5 weeks 3 classroom hours, one study session per week
Introduction to Web Development – Plan and build winning websites from mock-up to launch
Introduction to Data Analytics – Data rules, period, end of story. Find out why it’s so important and how it works.
Introduction to Networks and Systems – Geeks who like to work with their hands will find challenges and opportunities.
Introduction to Digital Business Management – For anyone starting or managing a business or organization, digital tools are essential.
Intensive Bootcamps - Professional Certificates
Take a 6-month deep dive into a specific area. You’ll receive a certificate and be prepared for a job.
Web Development – Build websites, learn best practices, pick up essential skills, and most important, build a network of collaborators.
Data Analytics – Every business, every organization, needs data analytics to understand what’s happening and make informed decisions. That’s why data analysts are paid so well.
IT Support Professional – The more equipment you have, the more things are broken. The more you rely on computers, the more it becomes vital to keep things up and running. That’s why IT support professionals are in high demand.
Test your Digital Literacy - get assessed: https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/ - use Location PIN ZAP4 for this program
