Dive Brief:
- Nonprofit organization MotherCoders has teamed up with Google to bring free tech training to moms in New York City as part of the Women.nyc initiative.
- The part-time, nine-week program is aimed at college-educated moms with some work experience who want to re-enter the workforce, start a business or change careers. Onsite professional childcare is provided during the courses.
- MotherCoders courses usually cost about $7,000 per person, but Google is covering the cost of this program, reports TechCrunch.
Dive Insight:
MotherCoders launched three years ago and this is the first time it's offering support outside of the San Francisco area. In addition to learning how to code, the programs teach tech industry knowledge and trends, offer workshops and provide company visits.
Women are an underrepresented group in the tech industry and this program helps to level the playing field. Working mothers are even more underrepresented for a variety of reason, not the least of which is trying to keep up with the rapid changes in the tech industry while taking time off to raise a child. MotherCoders prides itself on being inclusive of women from all backgrounds. Google, a company that is sometimes criticized for its homogeneity, demonstrates a commitment to greater diversity and homogeneity by footing the bill for the program.
The hassle and cost of childcare alone is enough to deter some people from engaging in ongoing education and training. This program eliminates that barrier, giving parents peace of mind while they're learning.
