Mizuho Americas and NPower launched Path2TECH: Networking & Systems Administration (NetSA) in early 2025 with support from a three-year, US$3 million FutureReady grant provided by the Mizuho USA Foundation. The free, 26-week blended asynchronous training is aimed at New York metro area residents aged 18–30, targeting the 13.2% unemployment rate among young adults in the region. Mizuho Americas CIO John Buchanan, who also serves on the Mizuho USA Foundation board, emphasized the program’s role in addressing local tech talent shortages and strengthening New York’s digital economy.

The pilot curriculum covers computer networking fundamentals, systems administration, cloud technologies and generative AI, with dedicated modules on Microsoft Azure and Linux environments. Participants gain hands-on experience preparing for CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals and Azure AI certifications. In Spring 2025, 47 participants enrolled in the core program, and by December 2025 nearly half had successfully earned at least one vendor certification—33% completed Network+, 28% completed Linux+ and 12% completed Azure AI.

Across the Spring and Fall 2025 cohorts, 70% of students either completed or remain on track to complete the core 26-week program, surpassing the 60% pilot goal. Of the 52 graduates to date, 41% secured technology roles such as junior systems administrator or network support specialist, while the remaining 59% have pursued further education in cloud engineering and cybersecurity. NPower projects an 80% placement rate within 12 months of graduation based on ongoing employer partnerships and a 72% elective uptake rate in Pentest Security and Healthcare IT among Spring cohort completers.