The Cherokee Nation is currently seeking applications for the WAVE Technology Training program, a mentor-led Salesforce career training initiative in partnership with Deloitte specifically for citizens of federally recognized tribes. After a successful first year with 385 Cherokee citizen applicants, the Cherokee Nation and its partners have decided to expand the program to include all federally recognized tribes in 2024. Eligible applicants can submit their applications online through the Cherokee Nation Gadugi Portal until June 18.
According to Cherokee Nation Chief Information Officer Paula Starr, Indigenous populations are still underrepresented in the technology field. The WAVE program aims to address this by providing pathways to learning, credentialing, and career mentorship for underrepresented communities. The program will begin on July 15 and run for 14 weeks, offering virtual training opportunities to prepare participants for a career in the Salesforce ecosystem, a cloud-based customer relationship management software.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be citizens of the Cherokee Nation or another federally recognized tribe as of June 4, 2024, and must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Selection notifications will be sent via email by the end of the second week of June. Due to the competitive nature of the program, some applicants may be placed on a waitlist. For more information on eligibility or how to apply