Dive Brief:

• South Carolina has launched a free coding education platform, SC Codes, which allows state residents to learn the skill. The platform is structured to meet the needs of beginners to advanced learners, from elementary school students to adults. The platform is available free-of-charge to any resident with access to the internet.
• The program, which was developed in cooperation with local nonprofit Build Carolina, offers an assortment of coding curricula. Residents can access all materials online, but they can attend cohort-style and classroom-led sessions at participating community partners.
• "Our ability to compete in the global economy will rely on the availability of an educated, job-ready technology workforce in South Carolina," South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said in a statement. "SC Codes will help us develop such talent, preparing the citizens of this state for the jobs of tomorrow."

Dive Insight:

Other states have tackled the skills gap with initiatives similar to South Carolina's. Indiana was chosen for the Colorado-based Skillful initiative and is also part of the 20-member Skillful State Network. Skillful Indiana targets job seekers and employees in an effort to improve their digital fluency. The project focuses on those with diverse backgrounds and education levels and experiences.

Talent shortages in tech have put pressure on employers across the country. To address the problem, many states and NGOs have searched out ways to upskill displaced workers or those whose jobs may have been challenged by the tech revolution. Bootcamps for adult learners have gained popularity, and community groups and government organizations are prioritizing coding education in their upskilling efforts.

More employers are focusing on diversity as part of the development process, as well. A report from Stanford University researchers found that company representatives in the tech industry have created a "chilly environment" that female STEM candidates must traverse as job seekers. In an effort to recruit a more diverse slate of candidates, tech firms have not only appealed to job seekers, but they have also reached out to those who might someday be candidates. In March, more than 100 tech companies participated in SheTech Explorer Day, a STEM activation program for girls and women put on by the Women Tech Council. The event introduced more than 2,500 girls to STEM careers.