A Raleigh-based technology company has partnered with Wake Technical Community College and the Durham Bulls to promote job opportunities in tech for college graduates and students.
RapidScale, a managed cloud services company, announced Thursday that they have established a fully endowed scholarship as part of a broader $60,000 investment to support workforce development and innovation in the Raleigh-Durham area.
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The RapidScale Technology Scholarship will be awarded for the first time next year for students enrolled in Wake Tech’s information technology degree. Programs within this degree include IT service & support, cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure.
According to the press release, these programs align closely with RapidScale’s hiring needs and reflect the company’s commitment to cultivating a diverse, job-ready talent pipeline in the Triangle.
“We’re excited to deepen our partnership with Wake Tech and invest in the next generation of technology professionals,” said RapidScale president Duane Barnes in the press release.
In an interview with WRAL News, Barnes added that some of the hardest roles to fill are entry-level jobs since students oftentimes are still required to have some sort of experience.
With this new partnership at Wake Tech, students can begin their experience right in their classrooms, among other opportunities through RapidScale’s investment in student success. In addition to the scholarship, RapidScale will become the presenting sponsor of a new lab at Wake Tech’s RTP Campus, which will include opportunities to extend and adapt to the curriculum.
“If you think about a computer science degree, it hasn’t really changed much in 30 years. But when you think about technology, it changes everyday,” said Barnes.
“As new things come out—whether it be artificial intelligence or whatever the next thing is—we can work with [the college] and say, ‘This is what companies are actively looking for,' and we will be happy to come in and help develop the curriculum, join classes from time to time and then ultimately have the students ready to hit the ground running when they graduate.”
Cindy Luttrell, Dean of the Information Technology division at Wake Tech, said she has seen enrollment in IT grow for the last several years, especially as tech companies start to flourish in the Triangle.
She said she’s excited not only about the monetary investment, but also the time investment from RapidScale employees to tackle this growing demand in the area.
“We try to tailor and match people from the industry to our specific programs who can give us feedback on what students need now,” said Luttrell. “As a community college, we're now in a good position to learn about the new technology and put it in the course as quickly as we can so folks can get trained on the current climate.”
In March 2025, the Durham Bulls announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with RapidScale to host multiple events targeted at local community college graduates pursuing careers in the tech industry.
Because of this unique partnership, students from both Wake Tech and Durham Tech are invited to these career and networking fairs to not only learn more about the industry, but to connect with professionals who are committed to fostering their growth in the industry.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Durham Bulls to highlight exciting job opportunities for local graduates,” said Barnes. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to investing in the future of our community by providing pathways to meaningful careers. Together, we aim to empower the next generation of talent and drive economic growth in the region.”