In partnership with SkillStorm, Georgia's most connected tech ecosystem aims to provide pathways to high-wage tech careers for Black Georgians; build a more inclusive economy in the state.
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) today announced the launch of its partnership with SkillStorm. TAG and SkillStorm have developed an initiative to help aspiring tech professionals across the state of Georgia earn in-demand tech certifications from some of the world's top tech companies: AWS, Salesforce, CompTIA, Appian and Pega. The initiative also includes the Upskill Together Scholarship Program, which TAG and SkillStorm hope will bridge career opportunity gaps for Black professionals in Georgia's growing tech industry.
"Closing the opportunity gap in Georgia's tech industry requires intentional action and collaboration," said Dr. Loretta Daniels, Director of TAG's Bridge Builders program. "By leveraging SkillStorm's innovative training platform and scholarship program, we can create a broader pool of workers with the skills that are in high demand in the state's tech job market and pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive tech economy."
Despite recent growth in the state's tech industry, there is room for improvement when it comes to diversifying the industry. Black workers currently represent only 23% of Georgia's entire tech workforce. In addition, fewer than 8% of managers in tech are Black, and less than 5% of tech businesses in Georgia are Black-owned.
"Our goal with TAG Bridge Builders is to create a more equitable technology workforce throughout Georgia – one that is more reflective of our population," said Larry K. Williams, President and CEO of TAG. "We aim to help Black professionals advance into senior-level positions and create pathways for those wanting to enter the tech workforce. Our partnership with SkillStorm will help to promote scholarships by providing direct access to in-demand technology certificate training to build qualified, diverse pipelines for Georgia's workforce trends."
TAG's Bridge Builders program aims to select Upskill Together Scholarship recipients with a focus on awarding Black Georgias to support its goal of advancing the tech careers of 1,000 Black professionals over the next five years.
"Our work is rooted in a belief in the transformative power of skills-first training to both close talent gaps and create new paths to economic mobility for historically underserved communities," said Joe Mitchell, COO at SkillStorm. "By investing in untapped talent and equipping more workers throughout the state of Georgia with in-demand tech skills, we're building a stronger, more innovative workforce that reflects the diversity of our society."
Read more about TAG and SkillStorm's partnership here.