The Women Tech Council (WTC) has joined forces with key US organisations to launch the Women Tech Talent Pipeline Alliance.
This alliance will create more opportunities in tech for women of colour, as well as mums/women returning to the workforce, refugees and immigrants. It aims to provide resources, support and opportunities to help these groups of women to pursue careers in tech, and strengthen the tech workforce and economy.
“With the pandemic impacting women significantly more than men in the workforce, it has never been more important to focus on increasing the number of women in tech,” stated Cydni Tetro, President of WTC. “By uniting these organisations to expand the talent pipeline and include more of these women, we will change the trajectories of their careers and families, strengthen our economy and increase the impact of women in tech at this critical time.”
ACCESS TO RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
The Alliance brings together WTC, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Code in Color, Latinas in Tech Utah (LiT), the Department of Workforce Services, United Way and RizeNext Tech-Moms. Together, these organisations will increase access to resources and opportunities, and provide support through role models and mentors for more women, especially women of colour and those returning to the workforce after a break. Ultimately, adding these women to the technology workforce will positively impact them and their families, provide tech companies needed talent and bolster the long-term health and growth of the economy.
Commenting on the alliance, Mary Cardon, Director of the Utah Industry and Innovation Center at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, stated: “We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting initiative to bring women in the technology workforce. The Alliance will help our state become stronger and more diverse and allow women and the companies they work for to reach their highest potential.”
MAKING TECH EQUITABLE & INCLUSIVE
It’s “imperative” that the tech industry continue to make strides toward a more “equitable and inclusive industry”, according to Karen Rodriguez La Paz, Founder and CEO of Code In Color. “I am pleased to take this important step toward change alongside Women Tech Council, Latinas In Tech Utah and other phenomenal organisations,” she said. “By banding together, we will enter a new chapter of transformational growth, leadership and change, and continue to bring education and financial wealth to the black and brown women who rightfully deserve a seat at the table.”
Donnaly Crull, Chair of the Latinas in Tech (LiT) Utah Chapter, agrees: “At LiT, our mission is to connect, support and empower Latina women working in tech. This alliance with Women Tech Council, Code in Color, RizeNext Tech-Moms and other great organisations is going to help us bridge the gap and break the stigma of Latina women working in the tech ecosystem. With a larger pool of resources to offer to our community, such as education through mentorship, community connections and the ability to access a wide network of potential career opportunities, we can empower more Latina women into the tech workforce. Our team is ready to get the work started.”
MEETING DIVERSITY GOALS
Melisa Stark, Commissioner of Apprenticeship Programs believes the alliance will tech firms meet diversity goals and will change the landscape of the tech industry. “As part of our Department of Labor Apprenticeship State Expansion grant, Workforce Services seeks to diversify the candidate pool for apprentices in tech to include women, veterans and people of colour,” pointed out Stark. “We believe that being part of this alliance and leveraging the efforts and resources of these great partners will help us to meet these diversity goals and will begin to change the landscape of what Utah’s tech workforce looks like, while meeting the demand of the business community.”
The joint effort will bring much-needed female talent into the tech industry according to Trina Limpert, Founder and CEO of RizeNext. “Our Tech-Moms programme fills an untapped resource in the talent pipeline that is currently underserved in Utah and nationally,” stated Limpert. “By joining this Alliance, we can continue to build upon our work and our partners’ shared vision and efforts to bring more women into the tech industry.”
Adding to her comments, Bill Hulterstrom, President and CEO of United Way of Utah County, said: “United Way of Utah County is thrilled to be a part of this Alliance to strengthen and increase access to technology in our community. United Way sees digital inclusion as a way to elevate our community. Providing technology education and access to equipment creates community members who are active participants in our economy and our health and education systems.”
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