Baltimore launches software training scheme to build city staff pipeline

26 October 2020

by Sarah Wray

The City of Baltimore has launched a Technology and Software Development Fellowship programme to create new career pathways for residents and cultivate skilled workers for city agencies.

“We are laser-focused on containing the spread of the virus and helping our communities rebuild our local economy,” said Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young. “This is one of many investments our administration is making in the long-term health of the city and core capacity of our city government.”

The programme will identify Baltimore area residents from any background, train them to become software developers, and deploy them with the Baltimore City Information & Technology (BCIT) department and the Baltimore City Health Department. The city is partnering with non-profit Baltimore Corps and Catalyte, a coding training and placement company. Catalyte aims to find untapped talent that is often overlooked by traditional hiring methods through using artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics to identify people who have the potential to be strong software developers.

Addressing complex problems

Todd Carter, Chief Information Officer, City of Baltimore, commented: “Fundamentally, this partnership strengthens Baltimore’s technical infrastructure by enlisting local and area residents in software development. Given the realities of COVID-19, technology has never been more important to the health and wellbeing of our city. Together, we will provide the support that is essential to advancing sustainable careers in public service and technology.”

Dr. Letitia Dzirasa, Baltimore City Health Commissioner, added: “The Technology and Software Development Fellowship is exciting because it allows us to create a pipeline for emerging talent within the city while giving them exposure to some of our most complex problems.”

A report published earlier this month by the Greater Baltimore Committee identified the top 20 occupations likely to produce the most “family-supporting” jobs in the Baltimore region over the next decade in four growth industries: business services, construction, information technology and healthcare. One of the report’s key recommendations is that leaders across business and industry, education, workforce development and philanthropy co-ordinate to create rapid training and certification programmes in these areas to support workers in transition.

All parties involved in the fellowship initiative are also members of RetrainAmerica, an organisation formed by Catalyte and various corporate, training and governmental partners earlier this year. The national exchange aims to connect anyone – regardless of background, education or prior experience – with an opportunity to get retrained for jobs of the future, such as in technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, industrial automation and logistics.

 

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