South-West Social Mobility Commission’s Post

Very pleased to share my latest piece, on the future of the responsible tech pipeline — and what we need to do now to build it.

NATIONAL TECHIES DAY National Techies Day on October 3 encourages students to consider a career in technology. With so many opportunities in the growing technology field, students seeking a career in technology will find promising choices anywhere they look. #NationalTechiesDay In 2012, Engine Advocacy commissioned a report by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute in California. According to the report, for every high-tech job, four more jobs are created. That's a lot of economic boost created by one industry.

Did you know: Grand Rapids’ local tech employment has grown by 28% in the past five years? We’re keeping that momentum growing with our Tech Strategy that aims to add 20,000 tech jobs to the city by 2031. Read our latest blog on Purpose Jobs to see our recent progress and learn more about how we’re growing the Grand Rapids tech community: https://bit.ly/40gByAh

“My vision for a better tech future is one where technology truly centers equity and justice, enabling people to support their communities, run their businesses, and explore their interests.” - Afua Bruce, (Author, The Tech That Comes Next and Principal, ANB Advisory Group) Bruce discusses thorny tech & society issues, how her work addresses these problems, and her vision for a better tech future in a Responsible Tech Guide interview. The Responsible Tech Guide is designed to inform, inspire, and illuminate pathways for individuals to expand their impact in the Responsible Tech ecosystem. Following our three pillars for change (community, education, careers), the Responsible Tech Guide features actionable ways to grow your community, increase your knowledge, and better understand career pathways. Read Bruce's interview and download the Responsible Tech Guide now: https://lnkd.in/eY4es2Xu

#Vancouver, mark your calendars for ‘Shaping Canada’s Tech Future’! Join us at BrainStation for an evening of networking and conversations in Vancouver’s vibrant tech hub on how we can support people underrepresented who are entering the industry. Why you should be there: 🖥️ You’ll learn more about Vancouver’s potential as a growing tech economy and how we can move towards a more inclusive tech future 🎤 Hear from Leaders: Gain insights from local business leaders on how we can foster a connected and supportive tech community. 🤝 Expand Your Network: Connect with fellow professionals across various sectors, from tech insiders to those bringing fresh perspectives from other fields. 💰 Discover the many pathways available to software engineering and understand how skills from other industries can contribute to success in tech and for the sector at large Register now at ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gqYMsb2p

🌟Exciting Developments in the Tech Industry! 🌟 In a groundbreaking endeavor, The Prince’s Trust has teamed up with Sectra to broaden access to technology careers for young and diverse talent in Belfast. This forward-thinking initiative is a pivotal step towards addressing the disparities present in the tech industry today. 🔗 [Read more about this innovative program.](https://lnkd.in/eMXFUBEj) Technology is continually redefining itself, and so must the pathways leading to its opportunities. This collaboration is not just providing training; it is creating direct career trajectories, transforming aspirations into achievements for underrepresented youth. Key highlights of the initiative include: 1. **Hands-On Training:** Offering essential skills that align with current industry demands. 2. **Mentorship Opportunities:** Connecting young talent with seasoned professionals for guidance and networking. 3. **Career Placement:** Direct routes into tech careers, minimizing the gap between education and employment. My prediction?📊 This initiative will set a new precedent for corporate-social partnerships aiming to foster inclusivity and diversify the tech talent pool. We can expect a surge in qualified candidates from varied backgrounds stepping into significant roles in the industry, fostering richer innovation and diverse perspectives. Moreover, such initiatives critically reflect on the ongoing narrative: the future of technology is inclusive. The more comprehensive and diverse the talent entering the field, the brighter and more innovative our tech future will be. For companies and organizations out there: - **Consider internal adaptation:** How can your values align more with inclusivity initiatives like this? - **Evaluate opportunities where youth from diverse backgrounds can find support and mentorship within your organization.** Our collective future in technology hinges on inclusivity and opportunity for all. Let’s champion these efforts and watch how they transform industries and ignite individual potential. 🌐🚀 #TechForAll #DiversityInTech #CareerGrowth #FutureOfWork #InclusionMatters #Prince'sTrust #Sectra #YouthEmpowerment

We really need to improve the pipeline of young talent, especially those with disadvantaged backgrounds going into tech! 👊🏼 I'm really excited about this episode, there's so much epic stuff included and lots of small wins that local companies could do to support the next gen in tech! I sat down with Henry Jones from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to discuss loads around social mobility, the South West peninsular, diversity in tech and some ideas on how to close the ever growing digital skills gap in the UK! "Work experience is one of the big things I’m looking at, specifically year 10 work experience. My report lays out eight things that we really need to do to improve the pipeline of young talent, especially those with disadvantaged backgrounds going into tech, and number one is more year 10 work experience programs within tech!‘’ Dropping on Wednesday 5th June. 🎙 Tech4Good South West 💚 #techforgood #impact #socialmobility #southwest

Madison Myers, Manager of Workforce Partnerships at the Business-Higher Education Forum, discusses how the Tech Talent Accelerator initiative is preparing Connecticut’s future tech workforce. By equipping students with in-demand skills and fostering strong partnerships between business and higher education, this initiative ensures that Connecticut employers have access to a skilled, future-ready workforce. Through work-based learning and collaboration with local partners, the program is bridging education and industry to meet evolving tech demands. Learn more: https://hubs.li/Q02-0Jr60 https://hubs.li/Q02-0Dgs0 #CTTechHub #TechWorkforce #WorkforceDevelopment #ConnecticutTech

Rural areas are missing over 80,000 tech jobs in their current core industries. Rural non-tech industries are generally behind the national average in tech staffing — about 50% below the average — which means they are likely lagging on technological adoption which could make them less competitive in the long run. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gqmECkG3

DHS Ventures & Holdings sees investing in Dallas as a great way for tech revenue generation. As a tech hub, Dallas-Fort Worth outshines the San Francisco Bay Area this year. DFW ranks second on a list of the best tech towns in the U.S., with both Silicon Valley and San Francisco slipping in the third annual ranking. Dallas leapfrogged six tech-centric American cities to rank second in CompTIA's annual Tech Town Index of the strongest job centers in the U.S. for technology jobs in 2020.