Empowering Our Future: A Call to Action for Tech Workforce Readiness

I'm thrilled to share my recent experience at the Bush Infotech Group Technology Summit, hosted on September 14 at the esteemed conference space of Malcolm X College in Chicago. It was an event filled with innovation, passion, and a shared vision for the future of technology in Chicago. As the co-founder and Board Chair of The Policy Circle , I had the privilege of moderating a thought-provoking panel discussion that touched on Tech Workforce Readiness. Today, I want to not only reflect on our discussions but also issue a call to action.

Tech Workforce Readiness: Bridging the Gap

Our panel, titled "Tech Workforce Readiness: From Classroom Literacy to Tech Start-Up" brought together some remarkable individuals who are making a difference in their respective fields. We discussed the importance of literacy as the cornerstone of tech workforce readiness, and the statistics were alarming: Less than 40% of 4th graders nationwide were reading at grade level in 2022. In Chicago, only 20% of students are reading at their grade level.?

Advocating for Literacy: A Path to Change

Jurema N. Gorham, the Founder and Executive Director of Burst Into Books, is leading the charge to tackle this literacy crisis at its root. Her organization partners with parents and schools to promote reading, and their mission is to rebuild communities through arts, advocacy, education, and family programming. But this issue requires collective action. We must advocate for evidence-based reading instruction, including phonics, to be used in all schools across Illinois. I urge each one of you to reach out to the Illinois State Board of Education and voice your support for this critical change, they are working on a plan this quarter. https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Illinois-State-Board-of-Education-Calendar.aspx

A Forgotten Tech Workforce: Our Veterans?

Rod Levy, the Executive Director of Code Platoon, shared his incredible journey of empowering military veterans and their spouses to enter the tech world. Code Platoon provides them with valuable training and resources to transition into fulfilling careers as software engineers. As the demand for tech talent continues to grow, there's a unique opportunity here for organizations and businesses to reach out and hire these talented individuals who have completed Code Platoon's software developer BootCamp. It's not just a good deed; it's an investment in skilled professionals who can contribute to your teams and organizations. https://www.codeplatoon.org/

Building a New Tech Incubator

James Parker, the CEO of 1921 Coworking and Incubator, is on a mission to empower the South Side of Chicago by creating a space that fosters entrepreneurial and tech skills. His vision is to bridge the technology gap in underserved communities. But he can't do it alone. He needs our support to build a thriving tech incubator. So, let's get involved in this exciting venture and be a part of creating opportunities and innovation in our communities.

?https://www.1921coworking.com/

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