Thanks to an introduction from the WTIA Advanced Technology Cluster (ATC) about a year and a half ago, Code Fellows and American Apprenticeships Work (AAW) are partnering to provide more accessible and inclusive pathways to careers in the tech industry. The collaboration combines the expertise of Code Fellows, an intensive technical academy, with AAW’s apprenticeship model, which offers job training and support to individuals from underrepresented communities.

The tech industry faces a persistent shortage of skilled and diverse talent, with women and people of color being vastly underrepresented. This lack of diversity hinders tech companies’ ability to leverage the benefits of a diverse workforce, including faster speed of innovation, higher productivity, improved creativity and collaboration, increased retention rates, and above-average profitability. By combining their strengths, AAW and Code Fellows are taking steps to create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry.

Code Fellows and AAW have collaborated on curriculum development, with an emphasis on software engineering, cybersecurity, and blockchain and Web3, focusing on creating courses that are accessible and relevant to underrepresented communities. This includes building technological literacy and fluency and providing support for individuals who may have barriers to entry, such as a lack of access to technology or limited educational backgrounds. In addition, AAW was able to adapt Code Fellows’ course offerings to Department of Labor standards.  

Specifically, the Web3 101 course teaches individuals about the technology and use cases for blockchain. This course is designed to demystify complex concepts and help individuals safely and securely manage a self-sovereign web3 wallet. Customized versions of the workshop are available to teach C-level executives and VPs about blockchain basics and how it relates to their company’s strategy.

The importance of apprenticeships cannot be overstated when it comes to building a sustainable and diverse pipeline of skilled tech talent. As an example, there are currently close to 1 million open jobs in cybersecurity alone, and traditional education systems are not producing enough graduates to fill these roles. Additionally, the skills required for these jobs are changing extremely quickly, and hiring managers are struggling to keep up.

That’s where AAW comes in. It has a strong track record of supporting underrepresented individuals in securing job opportunities and providing the necessary training and resources to succeed in their chosen fields. A one-year program, AAW’s apprenticeship model allows individuals to receive on-the-job training while also earning a living wage. This is particularly important for individuals who may not have the financial means to participate in a traditional bootcamp or take time off work to attend school. With the apprenticeship model, participants are able to gain valuable work experience and earn a living wage while they learn. 

For its part, the partnership allows Code Fellows to expand its offerings into a more comprehensive program that includes apprenticeship opportunities. By providing a more diverse pool of talent for their apprenticeship programs, AAW will also be able to help more individuals get access to jobs in the tech industry, as well as career advancement opportunities. 

The partnership between Code Fellows and AAW is a promising step toward creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive tech industry. Providing accessible pathways to careers in tech, like apprenticeships, can help to address the systemic barriers that have prevented underrepresented populations from accessing high-paying and rewarding job opportunities. 

Moreover, the Advanced Technology Cluster hopes to facilitate more collaborations like the one between AAW and Code Fellows in the future to help close the skills and diversity gaps in the tech industry—particularly in areas such as cybersecurity and blockchain—to help businesses recruit and retain the talent they need to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving tech sector.

To learn more about the Advanced Technology Cluster and its efforts to build connectivity and collaboration across blockchain technologies and quantum computing, reach out to Nick Ellingson, Startup Ambassador and Director of Products, at nellingson@washingtontechnology.org.