Skill Forward is a hands-on, outcomes-driven bootcamp to help you build and ship a personal and/or community solution — using modern AI tools, clear frameworks, and mentorship.
— What you gain
— The people
Meet the people that made it all happen: The Escape with Velocity Team, The Mentors and the Cohort.
View Picture Gallery →— Start here
Start small, ship fast, and build momentum into the bootcamps.
Project: Build your Proof of Work Portfolio with AI tools
Time: 4 hours (plus a 1-hour live session)
What we'll cover: Introduction to AI tools, prompts to get started
Structure
Project: Idea to Reality
Time: 10 hours
Lessons: One 90-minute lesson
What we'll cover: Spotting migraine problems, AI tools, vibe coding solutions
Structure
— Go deeper
Two tracks (20 hours or 40 hours). Same outcome: ship something real.
Project: Personal and/or Community Solution
Time: 20 hours
What we'll cover: Frameworks, AI tools, existing ideas/problems
Structure
Project: Personal and/or Community Solution
Time: 40 hours
What we'll cover: Frameworks, AI tools, existing ideas/problems
Structure
— The process
A simple loop: choose a problem → build → demo → document → deploy.
What you'll leave with
What we emphasize
— The journey
From application to deployment — here's how the journey unfolds.
Applications Open
Submit your application via the Google Form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — apply early for best placement.
Selection & Onboarding
Selected participants receive a welcome email with onboarding materials, tool setup instructions, and cohort details.
Kickoff & Problem Framing
Live session: introductions, frameworks, picking your problem. You'll leave with a defined use-case and an initial plan.
Build Sprint
Independent work sessions with mentor office hours. Build, test, iterate using AI tools. Weekly check-ins keep you on track.
Demo & Documentation
Record your public demo video, publish your write-up, and deploy your solution. Live demo session with the cohort.
Stipend, Certificate & AI Credits
Receive your completion certificate, stipend payout, and AI credits upon verified submission of all deliverables.
— Who can apply
This program is funded through a Dislocated Worker grant. All applicants must meet the base requirements and qualify under one dislocation type.
Base Requirements
All of the following must be met by every applicant.
Used to verify your name and date of birth. There is no minimum age requirement.
Required if you were assigned male at birth, are a U.S. citizen or immigrant residing in the U.S., are between ages 18–25, and were born after January 1, 1960. Registration status is verified through sss.gov/verify.
Verified via documentation equivalent to Federal Form I-9 requirements — typically a government-issued ID plus Social Security card, or a valid passport.
Dislocation Type
Applicants must qualify under one of the following dislocation types. Eligibility is confirmed by participant attestation.
Must meet all three of the following requirements (A, B, and C):
Has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment (including a separation notice from active military service).
Is eligible for or has exhausted unemployment insurance compensation — or has been employed for at least three months but is not eligible for unemployment insurance due to insufficient earnings or working for a non-covered employer.
Is unlikely to return to their previous industry or occupation. This can be due to any of the following:
Must meet one of the following requirements (A or B):
Has been terminated or laid off, or received notice of termination or layoff, due to the permanent closure of or a substantial layoff (10 or more affected workers) at a company, plant, facility, military installation, or business enterprise.
Is employed at a company where the employer has made a general announcement that the company or location will close within 180 days. A general announcement may include media coverage, filing of a WARN with the State, or written corporate notice of intent to close (including email, employer website, and/or social media postings).
— What you gain
— Common questions
Common questions about eligibility and how the program works.
Yes, you are still eligible. Meeting the Dislocated Worker criteria is based on your work history and dislocation experience, not your current employment status. If you previously experienced a qualifying dislocation — such as a layoff, termination, or business closure — you can still participate in the program even if you have since found new work.
Selective Service registration is a federal requirement — separate from having a valid ID and work authorization — that applies to a specific group of people. You are required to register if you were assigned male at birth, are a U.S. citizen or immigrant residing in the U.S., are between ages 18–25, and were born after January 1, 1960.
If that applies to you, your registration status will be verified through sss.gov/verify. If it does not apply to you, no action is needed on your part.
Yes — recent college graduates are welcome to participate in Skill Forward's training programs. You will need to meet the base requirements (valid ID, work authorization, and Selective Service compliance if applicable).
However, the completion stipend is specifically tied to the Dislocated Worker grant funding. To receive the stipend, you would need to qualify under one of the Dislocated Worker dislocation types. If you don't meet that criteria, you can still participate in the bootcamp and receive your certificate and AI credits upon completion.
You can attend just one program — or all of them. Each offering (Ramp, 2-Week Bootcamp, 4-Week Bootcamp) is enrolled separately, so you choose what fits your schedule and goals. There is no requirement to commit to multiple programs at once.
— Get in touch
Send a note here, or apply directly if you're ready.
Ready to accelerate your skills with AI?
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