Top Companies Hiring From Bootcamps and Job Training Programs

At Merit America, we’re all about helping people break into new careers, even with little to no prior experience. We’ve seen firsthand how this can work: over 11,000 alumni nationwide have completed our programs, and more than 500 tech companies have hired them, with many finding jobs within just three months.

We understand that for career changers, there’s often a bit of uncertainty about what comes after a job training program. You might be wondering, Will employers actually hire me with this background?

In this article, we’ll highlight some of the top companies actively hiring bootcamp and job training alumni—because yes, they really do.

Do Companies Hire Bootcamp Grads and Job Training Alumni?

In today’s job market, traditional education isn’t the only pathway to a high-paying tech career. With the rise of intensive bootcamps and job training programs, you can gain job-ready skills in just a few months. But understandably, people often wonder: Do companies really hire graduates from these programs?

The answer is a resounding yes.

Companies are hiring skilled candidates based on abilities, not just degrees. In fact, data from SwitchUp shows that job placement rates for bootcamp and job training alumni are nearly identical to those of four-year college graduates—differing by only 0.57%. This means bootcamp and job training graduates are just as likely to land jobs at tech companies as those with traditional degrees.

Companies hiring job training alumni

Intact Technology

Intact Technology, an IT service and consulting company based in Virginia, has been growing its talent pipeline by bringing in diverse, skilled candidates.

When they needed to fill entry-level IT roles, Intact turned to Merit America. That’s where Sandra Massie’s journey began.

Sandra, a Merit America alum and single mother, had been working unpredictable restaurant jobs, struggling with income instability. She recalls, “Being a waitress, you have no idea how much you’re going to make; sometimes, I would be paying to work.” Desperate for a stable career, she explored options like part-time retail and driving for Uber, but nothing offered the security she needed.

When she considered tech, she found many bootcamps were financially out of reach. “I was approved, but it cost $10,000 for a bootcamp. I didn’t have $10,000, and my credit wasn’t enough to get a loan,” Sandra says. Then, she discovered Merit America.

“Merit America changed my life. I want more people to know about it,” she shares. With Merit America’s $0 upfront model, Sandra completed the Google IT Support Certificate and eventually tripled her income as a Customer Success Manager at Intact Technology.

Southwest Airlines

Most people know Southwest Airlines for affordable flights, but it’s also a starting point for bootcamp grads and job training alumni.

Take Luiz Mattos. Formerly in call center jobs, Luiz had always been drawn to tech. “Before Merit America, I worked in restaurants, drove a school bus, and tried various jobs,” he explains. He didn’t realize he could build a career in tech until he found Merit America.

After completing the Java program, Luiz expanded his skills, learning React Native, Unity game development, and Lua. He landed his dream job with Southwest Airlines as a Junior Technology Associate on their Android development team, boosting his income by over $32,960 annually.

📌 Related Reading: How Luiz Transformed a Passion for Tech Into a Career

Amazon

Amazon actively hires from job training programs, especially through its Career Choice initiative, which partners with educational providers to help employees gain in-demand skills. Amazon collaborates with tech-focused training programs like Merit America to offer upskilling opportunities and then brings many of those skilled graduates on board.

Amazon’s commitment reflects a broader trend: more companies are recognizing the value of skill-specific training. For alumni like Alexander Chin, Amazon’s Career Choice sponsorship opened new doors.

“Starting Amazon Career Choice was a godsend. I didn’t have to worry about paying for anything,” Alexander shares. Despite not following a traditional four-year path, alumni like him bring practical experience and project-based learning, making them competitive candidates for entry-level tech roles. After completing the Merit America program, Alexander transitioned from homelessness to full-time employment as a Data Analyst with Amazon, saying, “They took me right after the program.”

📌 Related Reading: What is Skills-Based Hiring and Is It Still Relevant in 2025?

Aerojet Rocketdyne

Aerospace companies like Aerojet Rocketdyne are also embracing career-changers. Aerojet Rocketdyne, a defense and aerospace firm, actively hires bootcamp graduates and job training alumni who show a strong drive to learn and adapt.

Before joining as a Service Desk Supervisor, Brandon Heslop faced significant financial struggles. “I was in a dark tunnel … not knowing if I’d be able to pay my rent,” he recalls. After completing Merit America’s IT Support program and earning his Google IT Support Certificate, Brandon showcased his technical skills and determination, securing a full-time role at Aerojet as a Service Desk Supervisor.

📌 Related reading: Meet Brandon: From Gig-Work To Service Desk Supervisor

Microchip Technology

Many career changers worry their lack of prior technical experience hinders their job prospects. We assert that the transferable skills and hard skills you acquired during your job training make you a competitive candidate. And we’re not the only ones that think so.

Lilly Boone had a passion for tech. After years in customer service roles and a low-wage mobile mechanic job, Lilly joined our IT Support Career Track. The job training was not easy; however, it was worth it. Upon starting her job search, she leveraged her new skills, looking for a job that aligned with her core values—environmental justice and employee-centric culture.

Then, she found Microchip Technology.

“It was the cover letter that got their attention,” Lilly says. “They mentioned the part where I wrote about dissecting a robot dog and a robot cat as a child and how I’ve always been interested in how things work.”

Lilly’s journey reflects hard work and a determination not to let prior experience stall her job search.

United Way

United Way is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing community well-being by supporting education, financial stability, and health initiatives. True to their function, United Way saw potential in Winter Peach.

Winter completed our Data Analytics Career Track but knew that was only half the battle. She needed to make a compelling case to an employer—why should they hire a newly minted data analyst?

Winter translated her coursework and non-technical experience into a compelling resume, recognizing her experience was valuable. Despite her mortgage industry background, she showcased valuable transferable skills—teamwork, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

United Way saw potential in Winter’s skill set, drive, and ambition, so they hired her as a full-time data analyst months after completing a job training program.

Asurion

Asurion is a global technology services company that provides device insurance, repair, and tech support solutions to help people protect, connect, and enjoy their tech devices. Asurion also hires job training graduates.

The company values practical skills and hands-on experience, making them open to candidates with non-traditional educational backgrounds, like Ray Ramos.

In Ray’s words, “Before, I worked a dead-end job for five years at a cell phone company, not making any money. But now, I work for a tech support company called Asurion.”

As an entry-level Technical Support Representative, Ray uses skills he learned in Merit America’s IT support program to meet new challenges daily.

“Even when I started at my job at Asurion, many people were shocked by my abilities and understanding of how technology worked.”