The Academy for Career Development, The Academy, was founded in November of 1992, was incorporated in October 1996, and received its' 501(c)3 status in June of 1999.  The Academy is both a Community Based Organization and Vocational School. It is Rochester’s only not-for-profit Registered Business School licensed by the NYS Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (it is one of only sixteen such organizations across New York State).

The Academy’s vocational programs prepare members of Rochester’s underserved populations with skills necessary to successfully participate in today’s information based economy.  Academy curriculum not only provides strong academic content in technology and pre-workforce soft skills, but also links this content with real-world work experience through student internships and apprenticeships within the Academy’s community service programs. 

The Academy has also developed a strong partnership with the Microsoft Corporation from which it has received significant support.  As a Microsoft IT Academy, we are able train and certify students and faculty on cutting-edge technologies using world-class Microsoft curriculum, courseware, and online collaboration tools that aid instructors and help students achieve certification in Microsoft technologies.

The Academy is an approved training vendor of the following organizations:

• Rochester/Monroe County Workforce Investment Board through its Rochester Works One-Stop Career Center
• The New York State Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals With Disabilities (VESID)
• The New York State Department of Labor

The Academy is also a member of the following professional technology societies:

• The Microsoft Academic Alliance
• Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
• The Community Technology Centers Network (CTCNet)
• The Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN)
• AC4 (The Association of Christian Community Computing Centers)

In addition, the Academy is an Employment Network as part of the Social Security Administration’s Ticket-to-Work Program.  It is also an AmeriCorps Grantee for its HelpTech AmeriCorps Program with 30 members, who provide peer mentoring, and technical & educational support services for the individuals, and community and faith-based organizations (CBOs/FBOs) we serve.   The Academy is also an approved National Workforce Readiness Credential Test Site.

The majority of the Academy’s staff and volunteers come directly from our local underserved populations.  The primary target audiences for our programs are disabled, disadvantaged, or displaced children, youth, and adults who are living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty level.