It’s not likely that most people would put the words “coding” and “blue collar” in the same sentence, but that misperception could change in the not-too-distant future. Clive Thompson, an opinion writer for Wired, has some thoughts:
What if the next big blue-collar job category is already here—and it’s programming? What if we regarded code not as a high-stakes, sexy affair, but the equivalent of skilled work at a Chrysler plant?
Eastern Kentucky leaders have been pushing to integrate coding and programming into the region’s workforce lexicon. U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers routinely says the region could become a “Silicon Holler.” Coding is a pillar of SOAR’s platform for workforce. BitSource and Mines to Minds are both geared toward retraining coal miners to become programmers. The Holler, which is a program of the Kentucky Valley Education Cooperative, actively engages eastern Kentucky youth in coding, programming and digital storytelling to prepare them for those kinds of careers.
“The national average salary for IT jobs is about $81,000 (more than double the national average for all jobs), and the field is set to expand by 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than most other occupations,” writes Thompson. Why can’t these kinds of jobs infiltrate eastern Kentucky, and provide opportunity for the region? Thompson actually mentions BitSource as an example of the shifting narrative of coding and programming jobs.
One looming obstacle, though, is access to high-speed broadband Internet, which still lags far behind the rest of the nation in eastern Kentucky. If we are to transition our economy in the region to one the supports and is actively open to coding and programming jobs, then we must expand broadband access. It’s infrastructure that is essential to modern life, and our region should not be left behind.
"My vision for Hazard would be: A community that can grow for our youngest to our oldest. Without growth there is no future for our children. We need to continue to grow and bring back industry to our community. We need have better higher education programs and Universities, and better paying jobs so those who are growing up here do not feel as if they have to leave in order to live and have a good life for them and their family."
Hazard Spotlight: Sandra Olinger
appalachiantransition.org
Who are you, and what roles to you fill in your community? My name is Sandra Olinger, I’m the Family resource and Youth Services Director for Hazard Independent Schools. The goal of the Famil…
"My vision for Hazard would be that there would be no division. I would LOVE for outsiders to come in and not see a difference between those with and those without. . . . I would like for the homeless and the poor to have every opportunity to better themselves and make a life that before, they only dreamed of."
Hazard Spotlight: Sarah Chandler
appalachiantransition.org
Who are you, and what roles do you fill in your community? My name is Sarah Jane Chandler and I am the Event and Fundraising Coordinator for Hope House in Hazard, Ky. I’m mostly just a church…
"The last thing we need is a smooth transition from the last generation to this one, we need a bold statement that says 'We are back.' . . . We are pouring vision into our residents every day that with the proper steps their world can look different and so can our town. . . . My oldest is 10 years old and I made myself a promise a long time ago when we decided this is where we would be, that I will do everything in my power to make sure she doesn’t despise us for staying here. So, I’m working with a level of urgency, a clock ticking over my head and I’m ok with that, but if that means jumping in to push the change we need, I’ll jump in. . . . because I have vision that causes me to toss and turn at night for Journey, for Hope House, and for our city. I just want to see Hazard live out its potential."
appalachiantransition.org
Who are you, and what roles to you fill in your community? I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have four amazing kiddos. I have the privilege of serving as Lead Pastor of Journey Chris…