Wellesley, MA (March 1, 2023) – STEMatch announced the launch of COMPETE – an innovative industry-school collaboration that creates a new pathway to IT Support, Cybersecurity, and Software Development jobs for Massachusetts residents who can’t afford the cost or time out of the workforce for a 4-year degree.

“Two great challenges that Massachusetts employers face are hiring middle- and high-skilled workers in key areas and building the diverse workforce they need to compete. Our research indicates that there are over 30,000 chronically unfilled tech-related jobs in the Commonwealth. This shortfall hurts our economy and limits opportunity for our residents,” said Chris Anderson, President of the Massachusetts High Tech Council. “We are immensely proud that a growing number of our leading innovation economy employers such as MKS Instruments are partnering with STEMatch to address these challenges.”

“Job postings for over 90% of tech jobs state a 4-year degree requirement, which perpetuates the opportunity gap for lower income, rural, and minority communities – who are 29-49% less likely to have a 4-year degree,” said Chris Zannetos, serial entrepreneur and founder of STEMatch. “Designed by tech and business executives to effectively prepare students at community and minority-serving colleges to gain and succeed in entry-level tech roles, COMPETE was piloted successfully with MassBay Community College and companies such as State Street Bank, Steward Health Care, and IBM. We’re thrilled to launch COMPETE 2023 with our expanding roster of forward-thinking college, corporate, and industry association partners.”

“The COMPETE program and the connection it creates with industry partners increases Franklin Cummings Tech’s ability to prepare and place our students in the tech jobs they seek and for which they are greatly needed today,” stated Marvin J. Loiseau, Ed. D., Dean of Academics and Chief Academic Officer, Franklin Cummings Tech. “We are grateful to STEMatch and the industry leadership involved for this partnership that is creating economic opportunity for our students and a diverse workforce for our economy.”

COMPETE Corporate Partners provide students with career mentorship, paid internships, and feedback via mock and real interviews – and gain access to this untapped talent pool and participate in dedicated skills-first job fairs for COMPETE Students and Corporate Partners.

“We’re very excited about the partnership with STEMatch and the opportunity to build a pipeline to an untapped talent pool for the Boston Fed and other organizations in the region,” said Mike Rodehorst, FedNow CISO with the Federal Reserve Bank Boston.  “The program design enables a new pathway for individuals to gain the necessary skills and experience to launch a successful career in tech and cybersecurity, and help build a more dynamic workforce in a field that is struggling with skills shortages.”

About STEMatch

Founded in 2017, STEMatch is a 501c3 non-profit that creates industry-school collaborations to make the opportunities that STEM education makes possible accessible to underserved and underrepresented communities. COMPETE layers business-defined work skills training, career mentoring, internship experience, and interviewing experiences on top of strong, technology-focused education to get 1-2 year college students the tools to successfully compete for tech jobs. STEMatch is launching COMPETE, working with Franklin Cummings Tech, MassBay and North Shore Community Colleges – and companies in tech, finance, health care and other industries. In addition to COMPETE, STEMatch has served over 750 Boston and Lowell Public School students with its 6th grade Career Days at local tech companies. STEMatch intends to expand the COMPETE and Career Day programs statewide in 2024.

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