HISPANIC HERITAGE FOUNDATION

In order to provide America with a value proposition through Latino youth, we need to work backwards from what America needs most,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. “Today and in the future, the need is the STEM fields and especially in technology, yet only one out of 10 schools teaches computer coding. We believe the next great innovator will be a Latino or Latina, perhaps sitting in the classrooms we are teaching across the country. We are always trying to get creative in providing our community but moreover our country with a stronger workforce and more innovative minds going forward.”

As of today, there are 500,000 vacant tech jobs in the US with an additional need to fill 1.4 million more tech jobs in the next five years and only 400,000 computer science majors currently in college. Yet 90 percent of schools teach computer science.

HHF Code as a Second Language (CSL) concept is that in order to thrive in America’s workforce, Latinos need to learn the language of code the way they learned English. CSL instructors, or CSL Fellows, are members of HHF’s Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) Network and “eco-system” of talent. CSL effort included: identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) in collaboration with school; baseline survey of students knowledge to test progress throughout CSL course; guest speakers from tech industry; engagement of private and public sector volunteers; eight, 1-2-hour sessions depending on school schedule; hands-on assistance for students working on course material outside of class time; soft skill development such as leadership and collaboration; work-based learning such as building actual products and present them to peers; and certifications upon completion. The students will also be funneled to the LOFTnetwork.org for ongoing on-line instruction and connected to other students, mentors, networking, resources, STEM-related events, and later potential internships and full-time positions with Fortune 500 companies.