Featured, Inclusion
DEI, inclusion, MassTalent

MassTalent: Accessing Alternative Sources of Tech Talent

In 2018 MassTLC launched MassTalent, a platform to showcase organizations that provide training, placement, and funding for pipeline and workforce development. The organizations and programs listed in our MassTalent directory have a core mission of helping those in underrepresented or non-traditional populations move into the tech industry.

MassTalent arose out of a growing awareness that our regional growth was constrained by talent scarcity. Despite the region’s highly educated and talented workforce, there simply are not enough computer science majors graduating from local universities to meet the needs of a booming tech sector or to fill the many technical roles in other industries.

Tech Industry Demographics

As we examined the demographic make-up of the tech industry and tech occupations in other industries, the lack of gender and racial/ethnic diversity stood out as both a challenge and an opportunity. Bringing talented people off the sidelines and into tech could address the talent shortage while also addressing business, moral, and societal issues.

We know that talent is equally distributed in different communities, but that opportunities are not. We also know from abundant research that companies with diverse workforces, leaders, and boards have better business outcomes. But how could we prepare non-traditional workers or underrepresented groups to enter the tech workforce?

Amazing Local Organizations

Luckily, there are many amazing local organizations—non-profit, for-profit, higher education, quasi-governmental, and governmental entities— focused on this issue. MassTalent serves as a directory for these organizations. By highlighting and bringing MassTalent organizations together with tech companies as part of our DEI initiatives, MassTLC is working to create connections that will help companies reach their hiring and inclusion goals while also creating opportunities for highly talented individuals.

Stay tuned throughout the year for programs on MassTalent related topics including, but not limited to, accessing training funds, how to work with alternative talent sources, and building an inclusive environment.

If you are involved in or know of an organization that should be included in MassTalent, please contact ruth@masstlc.org.

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