San José STEM/Workforce Innovation Advisory Council

Silicon Valley is, in many respects, the center of the technology Universe. Yet, unfortunately, many residents cannot take advantage of the opportunities the economic benefits of these technology changes. San José has established an Innovation Zone on the city’s west side to begin to address this disparity.

The Innovation Zone will highlight the technologies that will improve the lives of the city’s residents through piloting innovative projects. The Zone will also host a Community Innovation Hub, which will house youth and career transition programs, showcasing innovative technology and ensuring that all residents have the resources to participate fully in the innovation economy. It will also amplify the STEM and workforce development programs currently operating in the city.

The Council will coordinate the various stakeholders to ensure that both the Innovation Zone and Community Innovation Hub are serving the needs of residents disconnected from the innovation economy ecosystem. The Council will be made up of representatives of residents, nonprofits, corporations, and San José City staff.

The primary focus of the Council will be:

• Identify the existing STEM and workforce development programs in San José and Santa Clara County and the target markets they seek to reach.
• Identify and highlight corporations' efforts to support STEM and workforce development efforts. Facilitate coordination and encourage greater corporate support for these efforts with school-based, nonprofit and government programs.
• Publicize and amplify the identified programs – ensure that ALL possible stakeholders know about the available programs
• Using their knowledge of the field and community the board will identify gaps in the existing offerings.
• Ensure pipeline efforts are fully supported (k-12, community colleges and beyond)

There has been significant and continuing progress of identifying and addressing the digital divide issues in San José related to access to technology and broadband. The Council will focus on how these tools result in access to opportunity.

 

 

One of the Council’s key initial deliverables will be the creation of an “Opportunity Atlas” highlighting existing STEM/Workforce Development Programs, particularly those scattered across corporations, nonprofits, and municipalities across Silicon Valley. This atlas will serve two primary purposes:

1. Highlight and direct residents to the opportunities available to most effectively participate in the innovation economy
2. Identify the gaps that need to be addressed to facilitate comprehensive programs for residents.

Once those gaps are identified the Council will identify the resources and best approaches to addressing the deficiencies.

The different constituencies represented on the Council are captured in the personas listed here.