Stacy Kirk of QualityWorks Consulting in Los Angeles, CA to receive $25K in grant money provided by leading fashion brands Smart & Sexy and Curvy Couture to provide software testing training to professionals displaced by COVI9-19
Los Angeles, CA – August 3, 2020 – Count Me In, the first national not-for-profit founded to help women grow their micro-businesses to million-dollar enterprises, has named Stacy Kirk, CEO of QualityWorks Consulting Group, as one of the top Awardees of the Count Me In Revival Grant competition. Kirk is receiving $25k in grant money to help provide software testing training and job opportunities in technology for Americans amidst the economic downturn due to COVID-19.
The Count Me In Revival Grant competition has relaunched this year, challenging women business owners to apply for four (4) $25,000 grants and fifteen (15) $10,000 grants provided by sponsors Smart & Sexy and Curvy Couture. The response was overwhelming with 444 businesses submitting applications. Of those applicants, QualityWorks was selected as a top recipient for its Agile Software Testing Bootcamp initiative, a 6-week intensive training opportunity geared specifically toward upskilling individuals with non-technical backgrounds to obtain high-paying, high-demand jobs in software testing.
“I’m thrilled and honored to have been selected as one of the top 4 out of 444 awardees of the Count Me In Revival Grant,” said Kirk. “I’m excited to use the grant to empower and connect local talent to opportunities in the growing field of technology. This is a win-win situation for everyone. It’s difficult for companies to find skilled testing talent. There are currently over 600 unfilled testing jobs in the LA area alone with an average starting salary of $67,000. We’ll be able to help connect companies to a new talent pool of trained testers through our Bootcamp while providing displaced professionals with new career opportunities.”
QualityWorks is a leading software consulting firm dedicated to enabling companies to deliver extraordinary digital products to their customers and drive technical excellence and innovation in their organizations. Awarded as a Top Testing Firm in the US (Clutch.co), the company has built a track record within the last 9 years for coaching and enabling software testing teams to become more technical and efficient. Customers span fintech, health tech, and the entertainment industries in the US, Caribbean, and the UK; they include notable players such as AT&T, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, Children’s Miracle Network, Fox, Legacy.com, IEHP, and DPD. The company’s current objective is to support marginalized and displaced communities by helping them to pivot into tech through software testing.
“The power of women supporting women has never been stronger,” said Merlino. “The founders of Smart & Sexy and Curvy Couture have provided a lifeline and boost to other women in business who are working to build success. As we face these new obstacles, I have no doubt we will continue to innovate and grow our businesses with the help of community support through programs like Count Me In Revival.”
Thanks to the support of Count Me In and sponsors, Kirk and her team are currently putting plans in place to execute the first leg of the Agile Testing Bootcamp and expect record success in training and placing talented resources in companies looking for software testers within the next few months.
…
For more information on the Agile Testing Bootcamp, refer to the following:
Register as a participant: Agile Testing Bootcamp Registration
To access trained testers for your Company: sales@qualityworkscg.com | (888) 331-9588
About Count Me In Revival
Founded in 1999 by Nell Merlino, who also created Take Our Daughters to Work Day, Count Me In (CMI) was the world’s first online micro lender, pioneering a unique model that combined business pitch competitions, mentoring, education, and access to financing for female entrepreneurs. In doing so, the organization altered how major financial institutions made funding available to women and changed the global narrative around female business owners. In response to a challenging business climate brought on by COVID-19 and protests in support of Black Lives Matter, Count Me In has launched a Revival to support women-owned businesses in transforming their products, services, and companies to meet the new safety and health challenges and evolving customer needs during these unstable times.
About QualityWorks
QualityWorks is a digital innovation company focused on enabling companies to build high-quality mobile and web apps that their customers love. For the last decade, our team has been building great software and leading companies through successful digital transformation by leveraging the power of technology. We do this by focusing on quality, innovation, and customer value above everything else, to help our clients achieve their most extraordinary business goals.
About Smart & Sexy
Smart & Sexy is an in-house brand for Ariela & Associates International which was founded over 25 years ago. We believe that confidence comes from underneath. We design obtainable swimwear and intimates with everyday comfort features so that every woman can look and feel their best every day. Smart fit, sexy and flattering styles, quality, comfort, and amazing value are the brand’s guiding principles. Learn more: https://www.smartandsexy.com
About Curvy Couture
Curvy Couture is the newest brand to the AAI family of brands. Founded in 2013, Curvy is the plus size bra destination for women searching for superior quality, comfort, fit in sizes 34-46 B-H cups! Our mission is to uplift Curvy women both in body and mind with beautiful styles and artful innovation. Learn more by following our Curvy Community on Instagram @curvycoutureintimates, shop our life changing bra and panty assortment at https://www.curvycouture.com, or follow our hashtag #everykindofcurvy.
…