Dive Brief:
- IBM CEO Ginni Rometty wants President-elect Donald Trump to help her company advance an educational path it’s devised that’s focused on creating skills for what she calls "new collar" jobs.
- Rometty sent an open letter to Trump on Tuesday with suggestions on how the President-elect and IBM can work together to "help achieve the aspiration you articulated and that can advance a national agenda in a time of profound change."
- IBM has promoted a new educational model that consists of six-year public high schools that combine conventional education with mentoring and on-the-job experience.
Dive Insight:
Rometty defines "new collar" jobs as "completely new roles in areas like cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence and cognitive business."
IBM has been testing its new educational concept in New York over the last five years, with plans to eventually create 100 such schools nationwide. In her letter, Rometty asked Trump for his support so IBM can scale the project even further. Such programs could potentially help improve the tech labor pool in the U.S.
Today, there are only an estimated 50,000 computer science grads each year, with demand far outpacing supply. The lack of viable talent can often lead to bidding wars, with some companies priced out of hiring necessary tech professionals.
Rometty also suggested Trump focus on infrastructure investments that incorporate Internet of Things (IoT) technology and artificial intelligence.
"As infrastructure gets smarter, it also increases the need for cybersecurity, so that vital networks cannot be compromised. We recommend that your infrastructure package include incentives for states and localities to build intelligent – and secure – roads, bridges, buildings, and other public facilities," Rometty wrote.
