Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher speaks on We Lead CS at a microgrant announcement at the Capitol Rotunda. Photo by Crystal Sicard, Kentucky Department of Education, Sept. 26, 2024
Education leaders from across the Commonwealth gathered Sept. 26 in the Capitol Rotunda where We Lead Computer Science (CS) announced $100,000 in microgrants to chambers of commerce to work with businesses and schools to build the state’s tech talent pipeline.
“The work being done by We Lead CS will help increase the state’s competitiveness in the technology economy and expand our capacity to educate and prepare high school students for the tech workforce,” said Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher.
“By working together, we are making sure Kentucky’s students have the skills they need to achieve lifelong success, and our businesses have the people they need to prosper and grow,” Fletcher said.
We Lead CS is a virtual computer science career academy created by the Kentucky General Assembly that serves students across Kentucky. The organization plans to recruit 300 new students for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Alicia Sells, We Lead CS chief executive officer, said through this microgrant program chambers of commerce throughout the state will bring employers and We Lead CS students together for job shadowing, projects and internships during the students’ high school years.
“Chambers across the state know local businesses better than anyone, so we’re asking them to take the lead on identifying what Kentucky’s small, medium and large employers need to fill and create tech jobs,” Sells said.
Kentucky averages more than 3,400 open computing jobs each month across all regions of the Commonwealth, with an average annual salary of almost $80,000, Sells said.
Additionally, We Lead CS announced its partnership with the INTERalliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students explore and pursue technology degrees and careers. The INTERalliance will connect We Lead CS students with Kentucky companies.
“Our partnership will give We Lead CS students the opportunity to work with major employers to gain experience and begin their careers in computer science. We can’t wait to work with some of the best and brightest in Kentucky,” said Chris Schmidt, VP of Technology Products for 5/3 Bank and co-chair of the INTERalliance.
Chambers of commerce that show a dedication to improving computer science education for local students will be eligible to apply for microgrants. Chambers are encouraged to use the funds to establish beneficial programs and support networks in collaboration with nearby colleges, universities and IT firms.
“We want our best and brightest students to come back home and build their lives here. I look forward to collaborating with you all in creating an education system that serves the needs of our students, our families and our communities,” Fletcher told those gathered at the Capitol.
Applications for the We Lead CS microgrants are available now and will be open until Nov. 15. Interested chambers and school districts can register for a webinar to learn more about the grant program on the We Lead CS website. Winners will be announced in mid-December.
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