Baltimore Launches Technology and Software Development Fellowship, Encourages New Career Pathways

The City of Baltimore has launched a Technology and Software Development Fellowship program to create new career pathways for residents and cultivate skilled workers for city agencies.

The city is partnering with non-profit Baltimore Corps and Catalyte – a coding training and placement company – to identify Baltimore area residents from any background, train them to become software developers, and employ them in software development positions with the Baltimore City Information & Technology (BCIT) department and the Baltimore City Health Department.

“Fundamentally, this partnership strengthens Baltimore’s technical infrastructure by enlisting local and area residents in software development. Given the realities of COVID-19, technology has never been more important to the health and wellbeing of our city. Together, we will provide the support that is essential to advancing sustainable careers in public service and technology,” said Todd Carter, Chief Information Officer, City of Baltimore.

The Greater Baltimore Committee recently investigated the top 20 occupations likely to produce the most “family-supporting” jobs in the Baltimore region over the next decade. A key recommendation from their research was that a coordinated effort was needed to create rapid training and certification programs in these areas to support workers in transition. The Technology and Software Development Fellowship initiative is part of RetrainAmerica, an organisation which aims to connect anyone – regardless of background, education or prior experience – with an opportunity to get retrained for jobs of the future.

“We are laser-focused on containing the spread of the virus and helping our communities rebuild our local economy,” said Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young. “This is one of many investments our administration is making in the long-term health of the city and core capacity of our city government.”