The state of Virginia is planning a major boost in its tech talent pipeline by creating new bachelor’s and master’s degrees over a period of the next 20 years, Governor Ralph Northam announced last week.
As a part of its Tech Talent Investment Program, the state is aiming to create 31,000 new computer science graduates by 2039. Gov. Northam has agreements with 11 universities, which will receive nearly $1 billion in funding to create new bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science, computer engineering and related fields.
The program is being funded by the state itself through its budget approved earlier this year.
“Virginia’s tech sector will continue booming only if we can train the workforce those jobs require,” Northam said.
“With today’s announcement, we are educating a workforce that will fill jobs at hundreds of tech companies around the Commonwealth, including at Amazon, helping boost our economy and quality of life in every corner of Virginia,” he added.
Importantly, Amazon is planning to locate its second headquarters in Northern Virginia. Governor Northam will sign similar agreements with other institutions, including the community colleges
The colleges that will receive funds during the current round are Virginia Tech, George Mason University, The University of Virginia, William & Mary, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, Radford University, Christopher Newport University, Virginia State University and Norfolk State University.
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