Selma, Alabama, once a storied center of agriculture and the civil rights movement, faces economic stagnation in the wake of a decline in agricultural employment – a familiar story in a landscape where tech booms drive growth in urban centers and leave rural areas behind. In partnership with Can Code, CORI has been working to counter this trend and skill up Selma for a tech-driven future.
The Rural Tech Employment Gap
The divergence in tech employment rates between rural and urban areas has long been at the center of our mission, with nearly 80,000 “missing” tech jobs in rural areas. In Selma (and across the nation), factors on both sides of the labor market can explain this gap: there is neither supply nor demand for rural tech jobs. Employers cluster near centers of funding and human capital in urban areas; would-be employees in rural areas lack tech skills, further discouraging employers from moving to, or opening businesses in, the area.
Training Local Talent
One way to break this feedback loop is by training local tech workers. With curriculum provided by Can Code, an initial cohort of four learners in Selma completed a 12-week course in front-end web development, acquiring valuable skills like HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, and Git. Following the initial program, we found that the learners demonstrated such enthusiasm for their work that a follow-up course in back-end design was added to bring the total program duration to 24 weeks.
The curriculum also incorporated real-world experience, with participants completing projects for real community organizations as well as building a marketable portfolio. Outside of the classroom, learners also received extensive wraparound services, including resume-building advice and interview preparation.
While Can Code provided the curriculum, CORI brought it to Selma and adapted it to the community’s local needs. Shaniqua Corley-Moore, head of tech talent development at CORI, noted that Can Code’s collaboration with CORI was their first time branching out of New York. CORI supplied an important understanding of the barriers to rural participation and how to overcome them, as well as experience working in the town of Selma and knowledge of local networks – which helped forge connections between students, the program, and employers.
Especially in rural areas, students face significant barriers to participation in continuing education. Time spent on courses comes at a high opportunity cost for participants who might be in precarious income situations; even after skills are acquired, it might be difficult to actually secure a change in career. Working to meet rural learners at their level was a key part of overcoming this obstacle: CORI’s Tech Talent Development team designed a program that allows learners to bet on themselves – without high risk. To offset lost wages and cover any incidental costs (as well as show appreciation for their participation in the cohort), a stipend was provided to each learner. Further, removing a financial barrier allowed learners to bet on themselves – without high risk.
The stipend also served a purpose beyond just lowering barriers to participation. Corley-Moore points out that part of its value was in “showing appreciation for the participants and acknowledging that they’ve taken on something that requires time and energy, and can be emotionally intensive.”
The course’s cohort model also formed a key source of support. Though classes were digital, participants could rely on each other for help – even through challenges as difficult as having a child mid-course. CORI’s Head of Tech Talent Development, Shaniqua Corley-Moore notes that “having these opportunities and this support really allowed them to advance in their careers.”
From Learners to Earners
After graduating from the course, all four participants secured jobs. Two attributed their new positions directly to their tech education. Shaniyah, a student at University of Alabama Birmingham, graduated with a degree in computer science and now works at the university IT department. Randy, formerly a radio host, is leveraging his skills at the ADT helpdesk. Outside of their day jobs, the participants use their front-end design skills as contractors, designing websites for local businesses and even the City of Selma.
Though the gap in tech employment endures, the four Selma learners are a powerful proof of concept for rural tech education. Their enthusiasm and success are starting to change the narrative around tech skills. Where Selma’s businesses might once have looked to outsource to cities, tech jobs are beginning to stay in Selma because of the shift of talent now available within the community.