Huakaʻi Program
Building a skilled IT workforce and sustainable economy for Hawaiʻi
About Huakaʻi Program
Huakaʻi means “voyage,” “journey,” or “mission.”
Pacxa’s Huakaʻi Program helps motivated individuals embark on their journeys to successful IT careers. The program provides “fellows” with paid work experience, on-the-job training, mentoring, access to industry certifications, and career services. Our long-term goal is to develop a resilient workforce that delivers innovation and excellence to help local businesses leverage technology to succeed.
Past fellows include new graduates, career changers, and others interested in entering the technology field. Watch the video below to learn what inspired our President, Kelly J. Ueoka to launch the program and hear from our participants.
FAQs
Thank you for your interest in the Huakaʻi Program. Applications for the upcoming cohort are now closed. Please check back here and follow us on LinkedIn for updates on future cohorts.
There is no cost to participate in the program.
Huakaʻi fellowships are full-time, 40 hours per week. Fellows work a regular work week, generally from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though flexibility is required based on customer needs. There is no part-time option.
Wages are competitive for entry-level IT positions. After the first month, fellows are eligible for medical benefits (100% of the premium is paid by Pacxa). Additionally, fellows may access our training platform and use work time to study for industry certifications. Pacxa will pay for the cost of the exams that are passed. As temporary employees, fellows are not eligible for paid time-off but may take occasional leave without pay with advanced notice.
There are several entry-level occupational tracks.
- Associate Project Manager Fellow
- Consultant Fellow
- Developer Fellow
- Service Desk Analyst Fellow
- Service Dispatcher Fellow
- Support Technician I Fellow
Below are examples of certifications fellows may pursue, organized by interest. Fellows may consult managers and mentors to decide which certifications are the best fits.
- Cloud & Infrastructure
- Cyber-Security
- Networking
- Project Management/Business Analysis
Employment is not guaranteed, but Pacxa may offer a fellow permanent employment if they are well-suited for an open role. Alternatively, Pacxa may work with business and community partners to connect fellows with employment and/or training opportunities. So far, 100% of our graduated fellows have secured a job in IT.
At this time, Pacxa is funding the Huakaʻi Program, but we endeavor to partner with community agencies such as the American Job Centers Hawaiʻi, the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, ALU LIKE, U.S. VETS, and others who may be able to help defray the costs of training and increase cohort capacity.
More questions?
For questions about getting involved as a fellow or partner, email us at [email protected].