by Adriana Martinez

AT&T is leading the way to the future – for California communities, businesses and the industry. Every day, we’re developing new technologies to make it easier for our customers to stay connected. We also continue to invest in a diverse workforce for the future, and believe these investments will provide a bright future for everyone: students, families, small and large businesses and California’s growing economy.

AT&T is bringing our customers access to video on every screen to enjoy their favorite movies, TV shows, music and sports. With our acquisition of DirecTV, we can give millions of Californians more choices for video entertainment on any screen from almost anywhere, any time.

Through our commitment to technological innovation, we’re helping our customers improve their lives with new solutions such as connected cars, wearable devices, and tools that help cities with energy grid needs, streetlights and irrigation pipes. In other words, we’re mobilizing a world that works for people faster than ever before. This approach has led to new technologies, apps, products and services that are improving lives at home, work, and play.

We also understand that the tech industry needs a capable and diverse pipeline of employees to fuel 21st century jobs, but the need is currently outpacing supply. To power the global economy, we need to bridge the skills gap and build a diverse talent pipeline for the jobs of today and the future. By 2020, around the world, there is likely to be a shortage of approximately 40 million high- skilled workers and 45 million medium-skill workers.
AT&T has a number of programs and partnerships focused on increasing the number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) students in the pipeline. On a national level, through AT&T Aspire, we are partnering and collaborating with organizations like Girls Who Code, General Assembly, Black Girls CODE and All Star Code to help increase diversity in the STEM field.

Here in California, AT&T has supported the Latino community through such programs as AdelanTECH Leadership Program, Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s LOFT Coder Summit, Latino Startup Alliance, and upgrading LULAC’s technology center in Los Angeles. We believe these programs will help Latinos here in California prepare for, and access STEM tech jobs today and into the future.
We understand the technology field is constantly evolving and changing. AT&T is bringing exciting new products to our customers while also preparing our future workforce for long careers in technology and innovation.

 

 

Adriana Martinez is Director of External Affairs, AT&T California