A new approach to workforce development
The future of work is no longer built on static expertise, but on structured adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning. Creating an adaptive technical workforce is imperative to sustain global power, national security, and domestic stability. The tech workforce needs to be purposefully designed with foundational skills that both anchor growth and evolve with technology. This new wave of innovators will combine passion, creativity, and conscience with technical knowledge to solve real-world problems.
For twenty years, NCWIT fueled the expansion of the tech workforce by activating a research-backed, full-ecosystem approach to broaden access to and participation in technical fields. Recognizing that inclusive teams are more creative and better at solving complex problems, this approach focused on engaging groups historically underrepresented in tech. We worked with industry partners, educators, administrators, school counselors, and other adult influencers at the K-12 and Higher Ed levels to spark interest, create new pathways, map skills to real-world needs, broaden access and participation, and create environments where all students and employees thrive.
With the dawn and rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing, tech is increasingly woven into every aspect of our lives. More than ninety-percent of jobs require digital skills. Technical proficiency in a specific language or tool can change or become secondary every 2.5 to 5 years. Skills specific to cutting edge technologies have an even shorter half-life. Yet, traditional educational pathways, from K-12 through higher education, are slow to respond to emergent needs.
NCWIT programs, initiatives, tools, and resources will always be grounded in social science research to create systems that are inclusive and welcoming of diverse experiences and perspectives. Our approach has evolved to better meet the needs that arise from a rapidly shifting tech landscape. This process is built on four pillars:
Foundational Problem-Solving:
Teach Engineering sparks students’ interest in STEM by connecting classroom learning to real-world challenges.
Guidance and Community:
Advising for Future-Ready Students activates school counselors, career coaches, educators, and others working closely with students by empowering them to actively promote and expand access to computer science and technology education for all learners.
Aspirations in Computing supports persistence, identity, and confidence by providing inspiration, recognition, community, and a layered support system that connects students and early-career professionals with exclusive networking and learning opportunities.
Human-Centered Skill Development:
NCWIT’s Online Learning Lab is an innovative platform that empowers individuals to develop the human-centric skills they need to thrive through self-guided, research-backed, and fully customizable professional development.
Innovation is powered by inclusion
Partner with NCWIT to help foster an inclusive, robust, and adaptive workforce that unlocks the full power of new technologies, drives innovation, boosts economic output, and secures the nation’s competitive position in an increasingly globalized market. Our interventions are highly adaptable and customizable to unique needs and circumstances.
Email us at [email protected] to learn more about how to help build the technology workforce of the future.