Program Overview
In 2019, the Innovation Institute launched a competitive solicitation for the Tech Talent Diversity Initiative, that offered applicants the opportunity to propose creative projects to increase the successful placement and retention of talent for tech internships, apprenticeships, and any entry-level tech sector jobs from underrepresented groups such as women, African American, or Hispanic individuals. This program sought out and supported by exceptional initiatives capable of achieving this goal in a region or across the state as a whole.
The Tech Talent Diversity Initiative grant program offered civic, business, or nonprofit organizations a unique opportunity to address one or more of the following: 1) streamlining the identification and recruitment of diverse candidates for internships or entry-level positions; 2) supporting candidates’ efforts to be placed in workforce opportunities; 3) supporting successful work experience; 4) improving employer practices toward increasing participation and retention rates among diverse populations, including efforts to address potential unconscious bias in employer hiring and retention activities.
Grants Awarded
The Baker-Polito Administration awarded nearly $470,000 in grants to support projects to increase diversity in tech sector jobs across the Commonwealth. The two competitive grants, totaling $469,234, were awarded to Tech Foundry of Springfield and to the New England Venture Capital Association’s Hack.Diversity program based in Boston, both of which are programs with track records of success in training and advancing diverse candidates into technology jobs.
The announcement was made at Tech Foundry in Springfield and was followed by a roundtable discussion showcasing the Commonwealth’s commitment to making its technology workforce more reflective of the demographics of Massachusetts by increasing black, Latinx, and female representation in tech roles. The new awards will help supercharge the Tech Foundry and Hack.Diversity programs and address critical issues such as continued employee training, enhancing mentorship for new hires and promoting tolerance and inclusive hiring practices within organizations.
Tech Foundry’s grant of $94,234 will enable them to undertake a two-part project. The first is a pilot of a ramp-to-hire program that places students in extended work experiences as part of their IT training that can transition from paid internships to permanent employment. The ramp-to-hire pilot will directly tackle the work-experience gap that is preventing more diverse talent from accessing opportunities in the technology economy. The second part is a partnership with the Healing Racism Institute of the Pioneer Valley to provide training, support, and peer learning related to diversity and inclusion within organizations.
Tech Foundry RESULTS
Since the beginning of the project, Tech Foundry has accomplished the following: |
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Hack.Diversity’s grant of $375,000 will allow them to appoint three program managers will who support a class of 75 fellows for an eight-month fellowship for black and Latinx tech talent. The fellowship consists of mentorship and professional development while fellows are placed at an area employer. Host companies in the program participate in workshops and discussions on topics such as unconscious bias, inclusive hiring practices, and equitable talent development strategies.
Hack.Diversity RESULTS
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Training |
Opportunities |
Success |
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