Tech Hubs are coming to a city near you. At least, that’s what the Biden Administration says. This week the Economic Development Administration announced the 31 designated projects chosen to lead the development of Tech Hubs nationally. While the Tech Hubs program has successfully branded itself as the shiny new answer to regional economic development, it won’t do much on its own. To truly foster prosperity and economic growth, it is crucial to prioritize practical approaches that enable individuals to swiftly and affordably acquire new skills.
Although many of the winning proposals mention workforce development as a key part of their strategy, there’s still much work to be done to transform this into tangible programs. The successful construction of tech-driven economies will necessitate new tools, partnerships, and movements dedicated to redefining how people learn, reskill, and upskill for the roles required to make these bold strategies a reality.
In this context, it’s essential to remember that achieving cross-sector goals for digitizing our cities and towns is a priority often overshadowed by discussions of infrastructure, science, and innovation. Efforts to rebuild our nation’s bridges and highways, make our homes and buildings more energy efficient, and ensure better access to healthcare services cannot be achieved without 2 essential ingredients: 1. Access to digital infrastructure 2. A workforce that can enable it.
As the 31 Tech Hub projects kick off, leaders in these communities should be mindful of incorporating initiatives that not only drive strong and inclusive tech economies but also extend opportunities to everyone in the years to come. The foundation of robust and resilient economies lies in creating opportunities for the people within those communities and beyond, and we are well aware of the critical elements that must be embraced for this to happen:
Identify and invest in the essential ingredients.
Delivering more accessible, healthier and smarter cities to people across America requires investing in the essential ingredients to successful implementation. It’s like cooking a Cuban dish at home and forgetting to add adobo. Regardless of what you’re cooking, the result will not deliver the right flavor without that one ingredient. Yet, as communities strive to deploy technology economies, they continue to focus on the vision, while forgetting to invest in the key elements needed for it to thrive and deliver into the future. What you put into the “caldo” (soup) matters, so spend more time talking about what you will put into the mix to make it work.
Build a vision for everyone, not just for the big tech-y fish.
Power tends to concentrate around power. In my travels across the country and working with digital empowerment groups, there’s this assumption that a digital ecosystem is meant to deliver for the “big guys.” It’s imperative to envision a future that encompasses everyone, rather than solely catering to major tech players. Often, discussions around digital ecosystems revolve around serving the “big guys,” resulting in an economic development strategy centered around a single sector or corporation entering or already established in the community. We focus on the healthcare provider, the large bank, the aerospace engineering company, and we build a vision around them. In this process, communities tend to overlook the myriad other jobs and talents needed to create livable communities where people choose to reside and contribute.
Technology is in everything, so build talent that can deliver it.
A technology economy will require better technology everywhere, not just at the chip manufacturing facility. Small businesses will need websites to promote and ensure accessible services. Schools will need more efficient and secure technologies to reach parents and protect student data. The local government agency will need accessible online information to serve constituents effectively. Achieving this level of accessibility necessitates long-term investments in digital empowerment. We need software developers, tech entrepreneurs, digital marketers, creative designers, and various other tech-related roles, all of which can be trained for through programs accessible at different career stages, including paid on-the-job training opportunities like apprenticeships. These roles are essential for meeting the long-term demand for tech talent across different sectors.
Your future workforce is everywhere; reach out to them where they are at.
Often, employers claim that basic skills are all they need, as they provide apprenticeships and training programs to upskill and reskill individuals for the roles they require. Yet, as communities focus on the large fish, they continue to rely heavily on traditional pathways into tech jobs. Communities tend to focus on traditional pathways into tech jobs while neglecting the talents readily available in their communities — people working at grocery stores, moms looking to return to the workforce, retired neighbors volunteering at their local churches, justice-impacted individuals wanting to contribute to their communities, and veterans employed at local dairy farms. Build relationships with trusted community organizations to create awareness about opportunities in tech, and partner with them to develop upskilling and reskilling opportunities into high wage tech careers for the communities they serve. Establishing partnerships with trusted community organizations is a strategic approach to creating awareness about tech opportunities and developing upskilling and reskilling programs that lead to well-paying tech careers for the communities they serve.
Moreover, it’s time to shift our mindset regarding how skilled workers enter the job market, encouraging employers to value non-traditional educational paths as equally valuable and essential to meeting workforce demand in their regions.
It’s not just the tech economy.
When you invest time and resources into digital empowerment efforts, you’re also contributing to developing a more inclusive, green economy. A more digitally aware community is a thriving community. Small businesses with access to better digital tools will reach people and deliver services more efficiently. More software developers locally means more people committed to strengthening everyday services for your community. A tech economy makes services more accessible and inclusive, making people want to remain local and actively contribute to their communities.
Embracing technology and innovation may seem daunting, especially for communities facing economic transitions. However, you don’t need to be a tech expert to design human-centered economic development strategies anchored in tech and innovation. Start with the basics, just as your home requires a strong foundation, your tech economy relies on your local workforce, the people you upskill and reskill into tech roles. They will ensure your community possesses the necessary elements to provide opportunities and build healthier, more inclusive communities where people choose to contribute for the long term.
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