On-Ramps to Careers Builds Pipeline for Lucrative Careers in STEM

Strategic Insights -

On-Ramps to Careers has been addressing institutional racism and socioeconomic barriers that African American families face in the Washington D.C. area for nearly 9 years. The program creates meaningful technology and engineering career pathways for DC's most vulnerable youth, providing over 700 internships and training opportunities through the Department of Employment Services (DOES) Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), DC Public Schools, and 20 regional technology employers. The program has shown remarkable success, with over 95% of participants being African American students. This engagement is helping change the human capital landscape and technology workforce culture.

Key Takeaways:

  • On-Ramps to Careers has provided 700 internships and training opportunities for minority students through the DOSE Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), DC Public Schools, and 20 regional technology employers.
  • Approximately 200 young people began paid technology skills-based virtual internships through On-Ramps, with students coming from 18 DC public and public charter high schools.
  • Corporate partners have made investments of $400,000 to the young tech workforce and DC economy.
  • Acquired Data Solutions (ADS) in Rockville, MD, is hosting 40 On-Ramps students and has developed a six-week program called "T.E.A.M.S." (Technology, Economics, Arts, Marketing, Socializing) to complement their academics.
  • Long-term Fortune 500 partners and 20 local employers have followed suit with their own virtual real-world projects at various organizations, including the US Department of Homeland Security and Georgetown University Information Systems.
  • On-Ramps receives funding from corporate donors like AT&T, Verizon, Microsoft, Samsung, Starbucks, and ADS; foundations like Clark Foundation and CityWorks; and government partners like DC's Department of Employment Services.

Statistics:

  • 700+ internships and training opportunities provided to minority students
  • 97% (over 95%) of participants are African American students
  • 200+ young people began paid technology skills-based virtual internships through On-Ramps
  • $400,000 invested by corporate partners to the young tech workforce and DC economy
  • 18 DC public and public charter high schools served by the program
  • 40 On-Ramps students hosted by Acquired Data Solutions (ADS)

Sources:

  • BusinessWire: "On-Ramps to Careers Builds Pipeline for Lucrative Careers in STEM" (July 15, 2020)
  • Department of Employment Services (DOES) Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
  • DC Public Schools