Get Certified. Get Ahead.
Premier Workforce Development Initiative
"We believe in meeting people where they are, building the skills where they work,
and creating pathways to the economy where digital literacy creates opportunity."
—Richard Brown, Director of Tech Career Pathways & Apprenticeship, Knox St. Studios
Get AI Certified in One Weekend
Knox St Studios presents a FREE 2-Day AI Certification Intensive
February 21 & 22
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9am to 6pm
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Open to Triad Residents
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Completely FREE
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Limited to 20 Participants​​
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What You'll Earn​
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Google AI Essentials Certification
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Google Prompt Engineering Certificate
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$500 Cash Stipend Upon Completion*
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Practical AI tools you can use immediately in your business
What Makes This Different
This isn't self-paced online learning. You'll work alongside 19 other entrepreneurs and business owners in person, completing both certifications together as a cohort. Our proven teaching methods—including the Digital Foraging Method and Stone Soup Collaborative Intelligence—ensure you don't just get certified, you learn how to actually use AI in your business.​
* Requirements for $500 stipend include: attendance both full days, complete both Google certifications, and demonstrate understanding through practical application.
Our Partners
Knox St. Studios (Lead Partner)
Knox St. Studios served as the program leader, bringing years of experience in supporting entrepreneurs through comprehensive business development programs, digital workforce training, and access to capital. Our organization specializes in creating pathways to sustainable business growth while building stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Durham County
Durham County's generous support made the Scale & Push program possible, reflecting the county's commitment to fostering entrepreneurial success and economic development. Their investment demonstrated how public-private partnerships can create tangible economic opportunities for local business owners.
North Carolina Department of Commerce
The North Carolina Department of Commerce's support extends the program's reach across the state, ensuring workforce development initiatives serve communities beyond Durham. Their partnership validates the scalability and impact of the Knox St Studios model.
Google
Google's partnership through the Google Career Certificates program provides world-class curriculum and industry-recognized credentials at no cost to participants. This collaboration between Knox St Studios and Google ensures participants receive both cutting-edge education and the certification credentials that employers and customers recognize and value.
Microsoft
Microsoft's involvement provides additional pathways for technology certification and digital skills development, expanding the opportunities available to program participants.
NC IDEA
NC IDEA's partnership was instrumental in making direct capital investment possible. As North Carolina's entrepreneurial ecosystem builder and grant maker, NC IDEA's support validated the program's approach and connected participants to the broader statewide network of resources and opportunities.
Participant Success Stories
Toyia Williams | Triple T Suspension
Challenge
Managing operations for husband's motorcycle suspension tuning business with no technical background
Solution
Built automated email response system and customer service chatbot
Impact
Reduced response time from 24 hours to instant, freeing 10 hours per week for strategic growth
Program Outcomes & Impact
By the Numbers
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100+ participants served across multiple cohorts
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15-20 active participants per cohort
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$250 to $500 stipend per graduate
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70-85% completion rate across most cohorts
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40-50% efficiency gains reported by successful participants
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Zero cost to participants for world-class education
Transformation Metrics
Successful participants report:
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Cutting workloads in half through strategic implementation
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Generating new revenue streams from enhanced services
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Reducing operational costs through automation
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Improving customer satisfaction with faster, personalized responses
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Gaining confidence to compete in digital economy
Economic Empowerment
The program specifically targets underrepresented entrepreneurs who often lack access to expensive training and consulting. By removing financial barriers and providing comprehensive support, Knox St Studios creates pathways to economic opportunity that didn't exist before.
Ecosystem Building
Graduates don't just transform their own businesses—they become resources for their communities, sharing knowledge, collaborating on projects, and creating a multiplier effect throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem.