Rosenworcel Urges 'Real Action' in Diverse Tech Hiring
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is "impatient for some real action" on diversity and inclusion in tech employment ranks, she said Monday at a Communications Equity and Diversity Council forum. Diverse workforces have been shown demonstrably to be "a win/win for…
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businesses and workers," but employment in the tech sector doesn't look like the population overall, she said. Many employees still "know what it's like to be 'the only,'" she said, noting her own experience as the FCC's only permanent female chair. She said "upskilling" -- particularly among underrepresented populations -- could help address a tight labor market and the job disruptions of an increasingly automated future. Multiple speakers said one challenge is the perception by employers that tech careers require expensive, four-year degrees. Hector Mujica, Google.org, Americas head of economic opportunity, said degree requirements for tech jobs disproportionately exclude rural, Black and Latino workers and are largely unnecessary. Antonio Tijerino, Hispanic Heritage Foundation CEO, said there's no shortage of talent but there needs to be more work in exposing, preparing and supporting diverse communities. Given particularly low unemployment rates, Mujica said there should be "better, broader" pathways for immigration and citizenship, plus improved rural internet connectivity. Michelle Gilliard, IBM Americas corporate social responsibility leader, said the Pell Grant system needs to expand to cover such areas as short-term and online learning. She also said there's a need for a shared, verifiable "digital credentialing system" for workers' skills and training.