Today’s society and global economy are continuously shaped by the ever-changing landscape of the technology industry. The industry’s high demand for tech talent and technological innovation, along with the growth of opportunities for jobseekers to acquire high-paying salaries and great benefits, have steadily garnered attention and interest across the learning and workforce ecosystem. However, pathways to these opportunities are largely inequitable and systematically inaccessible to black learners and workers. Despite research showing that a diversity of experiences and backgrounds is pivotal for the development of strong and strategic technology innovations and solutions, we continue to see the detrimental effect of excluding all voices, especially of those who have been historically and systematically excluded through different facets of design, implementation, and leadership within the technology industry.
To help address the industry challenges around technology career pathways, Digital Promise has released a new report, Lift Every Voice in Tech: Co-Designed Recommendations to Support Black Workers and Learners Seeking to Enter and Advance in Technology Industry Career Pathways. This research presents recommendations and actionable steps that are collaboratively designed, centering the voices and lived experiences of Black workers and learners within the technology learning and workforce ecosystem. By researching, collaboratively designing, and implementing solutions at the margins, employers and training providers can more effectively:
As robust technologies emerge and occupational roles and processes continue to evolve, so must the strategies used to intentionally recruit, retain, and advance diverse talent within the technology learning and workforce ecosystem. To learn more, we invite you to read the full report and check out our video to hear directly from Black workers and learners about their journeys in the technology industry.
