Maryland Tech Council Launches Community Partnerships to Boost Workforce, Digital Equity, and Technology Transfer
(FREDERICK, MD) – February 27, 2023 – The Maryland Tech Council (MTC), the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state, is launching three community partnerships to accelerate equitable access to careers, expand digital connectivity, and strengthen technology transfer in Maryland.
Equitable Access to Careers
MTC will partner with OneTen, a coalition designed to close the opportunity gap for Black talent by working with America’s leading executives, companies and talent developers to hire and advance one million Black Americans without four-year degrees into family-sustaining roles. MTC and OneTen will coordinate on events and advocacy to increase the hiring of diverse talent into jobs that do not require a 4-year college degree by engaging and sharing resources to improve hiring, retention, upskilling, wrap-around services and advancement.
“Maryland is home to rewarding technology and life sciences careers that do not require 4-year college degrees,” said Maurice Jones, CEO of OneTen. “Together with the Maryland Tech Council, we are excited to upskill and reskill more Black Marylanders into these careers to help create a more equitable society.”
Equitable Access to Connectivity
MTC will partner with Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition, which connects committed organizations and individuals to coordinated efforts that advance digital equity and close the digital divide in Baltimore City. The two organizations plan to host forums to help policymakers, community leaders, and residents better understand the state’s digital divide and explore solutions to close the gap for residents.
“The Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition is excited about partnering with the Maryland Tech Council to catalyze new pathways to increase digital equity in Baltimore — and across the State. We know that access to technology, the Internet, and digital skills training is critical to everyone’s success in the 21st Century, therefore we must continue to understand the state of the digital divide and collaborate on planning efforts.
“This partnership will not only assist us in closing digital adoption gaps, but also the gap that has divided so many of our people from opportunity, “ said Cody L. Dorsey, Executive Director, Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition.
Boosting Opportunities for Federal Tech Transfer
MTC is partnering with the Federal Lab Consortium, a nationwide network of more than 300 federal laboratories, agencies, and research centers, to facilitate the transfer of federal lab research and technology to boost economic development. The two organizations will work together on joint meetings, and special events to connect federal labs with entrepreneurs and small businesses to spur economic development within Maryland.
“This collaboration with MTC will strengthen the FLC’s ability to support technology transfer in Maryland, which is home to more than 70 federal laboratories,” said Paul Zielinski, FLC Executive Director. “We’re excited to work with MTC to help connect Maryland entrepreneurs with federal labs within the state and across the country.”
“By partnering with leaders in workforce development, digital equity, and federal laboratory innovation, the Maryland Tech Council aims to catalyze career opportunities for all, and to help Maryland companies learn how to move technologies out of the lab and into the marketplace,” said Kelly Schulz, CEO of the Maryland Tech Council. “We are excited to leverage our platform with our partners for a positive impact that benefits residents, career-seekers, and tech and life sciences companies alike.”
Learn more about MTC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives here.
About the Maryland Tech Council
The Maryland Tech Council (MTC) is a collaborative community that is actively engaged in building strong technology and life science industries by supporting the efforts of our individual members. We are the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state of Maryland, and we provide value by giving members a forum to learn, share, and connect. MTC brings the region’s community together into a single, united organization that empowers our members to achieve their business goals through advocacy, networking and education. The vision for the Maryland Tech Council is to propel Maryland to become the number one innovation economy for life sciences and technology in the country. For more information: mdtechcouncil.com.
About OneTen
OneTen is a coalition of leading chief executives and their companies who are coming together to upskill, hire and promote one million Black Americans over the next 10 years who do not yet have a four-year degree into family-sustaining jobs with opportunities for advancement. We connect employers with talent partners, leading nonprofits and other skill-credentialing organizations who support development of diverse talent. By creating more equitable and inclusive workforces, we believe we can reach our full potential as a nation of united citizens. Join us at OneTen.org.
Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition
The Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition (BDEC) connects committed organizations and individuals to coordinated efforts that seek to advance digital equity and close the digital divide. A cohort of over 50 member organizations, BDEC works to address both the urgent and long-term need for increased digital access throughout the city of Baltimore. Learn more at digitalequitybaltimore.org.
About the FLC
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is a formally chartered, nationwide network of more than 300 federal laboratories, agencies, and research centers that foster commercialization best practice strategies and opportunities for accelerating federal technologies from out of the labs and into the marketplace. To learn more, visit www.federallabs.org.