CJ Banks has deemed 2023 as “go time.”
As vice president of Bitwise Industries in Buffalo, he focused last year on introductions and building relationships with local organizations and companies.
This year, that relationship building will continue, but Banks has other big plans as well.
“We’re going to be making a lot of movements this year,” he said.
News broke last year that the Fresno, California-based company, which trains tech workers in underserved communities, develops software and invests in tech-friendly real estate, had picked Buffalo for its latest project.
Bitwise’s three-pronged platform includes a workforce training program to introduce underserved populations to careers in technology, a software development firm where graduates of the program can work, and a campus for its trainings and other tech businesses.
Plans for progress in 2023
Work is still underway at the 32,000-square-foot building Bitwise picked at 368 Sycamore St., owned by Douglas Jemal, on Buffalo’s East Side. Banks expects the work to be done toward the end of this year or early next year.
In the meantime, Bitwise is working on securing a temporary location to start serving the community in-person.
“Ours are built to be very similar to what they’ll experience in the permanent location,” Banks said.
Already, Bitwise started last year a virtual pre-apprenticeship program with 61 students. Once the in-person trainings begin, the paid program can last anywhere from six months to a year. The company also helps with challenges like transportation and childcare.
Bitwise’s goal is to hire 60% of its apprentices internally at its organization. The remaining 40% might go on to college or work at a company that partners with Bitwise.
As the company opens its temporary location and later on its permanent location, it will grow its current team of six. Because those milestone timelines are still up in the air, Banks said, he couldn’t give a projected number of new hires yet.
Integration into the community
Much of Bitwise’s success stems from its ability to connect with the communities – particularly the underserved parts of the communities – it serves.
Banks’ strategy boils down to communication.
“We’ve just been meeting, and our plan is to continue doing it,” he said. “For them, seeing what is it that they need? How we can help them? I think that’s the best way to connect with people.”
That includes meeting and working with local school districts and colleges, as well as employers and local representatives to do advocacy work.
But when it comes to engaging with people, it’s “not a hard sell,” Banks said. Many individuals understand the value of tech and tech jobs, and employers need workers.
“We help them see that it’s not hard to hire people,” Banks said. “It’s hard if you’re fishing from the same pond, the same pool of individuals. … Let’s change the way society looks at people and opportunities.”
