A State of Tennessee initiative aimed at increasing digital skill sets and access to advanced digital tools has awarded $1 million to further those efforts in Memphis.
Locally based nonprofit CodeCrew landed the grant via the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development's Digital Skills, Education, and Workforce Development (DSEW) program.
CodeCrew executive director Meka Egwuekwe called the DSEW grant a "game-changer" for the organization.
"It will significantly bolster our efforts to train young adults as software engineers, providing them with the necessary skills to excel in the tech industry," he said in an emailed comment. "Additionally, this funding will enable us to offer subsidized internships to our partner employers, creating a pathway for real-world experience and career development."
The grant funding allows CodeCrew to expand its "capacity to produce more than 100 new, skilled, and diverse tech workers," Egwuekwe said.
CodeCrew works with adolescents and adults from underrepresented communities, providing technical proficiency training in computer science and other digital competencies. CodeCrew's Code School grads fared significantly better on annual salary after the training ($60,000) versus before the training ($12,000).
The DSEW program looks to facilitate the deployment, management, and maintenance of broadband infrastructure in the state by training professionals in needed broadband infrastructure digital skill sets.
“We are proud to support initiatives like CodeCrew that align with our mission to enhance digital access and literacy across Tennessee,” said Taylre Beaty, Tennessee’s state broadband director, in a news release. “Through partnerships with organizations like CodeCrew, we are not only fostering a diverse tech workforce but also driving economic growth and innovation statewide.”
