Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, cognitive computing technology, advanced materials development, and other innovations that have not been shared or possibly even conceived are mere markers for the ever-evolving and expanding field of technology. They mark exciting times for consumers and users, as well as the developers and workers that make these innovations accessible for our engagement and use. These advancements and innovations create employment and earning opportunities that necessitate new learning and skill-building to maintain pace with the 5.3 million tech-related occupations in the U.S., and while the push for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in tech-related industries remains a focus in these developments, Black Americans represent only eight percent of the U.S. tech industry workforce.
In partnership with the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity, Digital Promise is engaged in a multi-phase project that will allow us to ask the necessary questions to better understand the experiences and inform the practices connected to the learning, working, and earning of Black people in the field of technology. Our report, Understanding the Supports and Skills that Enable Successful Pathways for Black Learners and Workers into Non-Four-Year Degree Technology Careers: A Landscape Scan, provides historical perspective on the Black experience in the U.S. technology industry, while also addressing the pathways provided through exposure, education, and efforts toward career sustainability.
This report provides a synthesis of existing research and a curation of programs, services, and supports that effectively promote the success of Black learners and workers within technology career pathways. In addition, this scan primes our researchers and readers for the next phases of this work, which includes detailed conversations and design workshops. The experiences of Black learners and workers will allows us to elevate the voices of Black workers and learners, as well as educators, support programs, and employers to better understand the factors, skills, and supports most likely to 1) sustain motivation and persistence for Black learners and workers pursuing non-degree credentials in technology careers, and 2) increase the representation of Black learners and workers across the technology learning and workforce ecosystem. A detailed outlining of the phases connected to this work can be found in the “Next Steps: Moving the Path Forward” section of the report.
The report highlights three compelling ways you can take action in this work:
Build awareness of the underrepresentation of Black learners and workers and bring attention to disparities they largely face within the technology learning and workforce ecosystem.
Advocate for and invest in organizations, policies, and partnerships that improve the accessibility of technology industry education, training, and career entry opportunities to propel Black learners and workers of all education levels into technology career pathways.
Continuously prioritize, utilize, and analyze retention strategies to increase equitable support and sustain and advance Black learners and workers of all education levels within the technology learning and workforce ecosystem.
More information on why these actions have consistently proven beneficial to not only Black learners and workers, but to the technology industry as whole, are available in the full landscape report, Understanding the Supports and Skills that Enable Successful Pathways for Black Learners and Workers into Non-Four-Year Degree Technology Careers: A Landscape Scan.
Keep up with our progress by subscribing to the Adult Learning bi-monthly Spotlight Newsletter! You can also reach out to the Digital Promise Adult Learning Team at adulted@digitalpromise.org to learn more about getting involved in the project.
