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Google commits $1B in grants to train U.S. workers for high-tech jobs

techcrunch.com

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Re: Google commits $1B in grants to train U.S. workers for high-tech jobs

#11

Post by cletus »

gaius wrote: post #3

Great! They won't need to offshore any more work! Or rely on exploiting H1B's!

There is exploitation of H1B workers but it's not at the hands of the tech giants. Pretty much all the abuse of foreign workers on visas I've seen is at the hands of these Indian bodyshops that, given the long wait for green cards for those born in India, such jobs are tantamount to indentured servitude.

Speaking as a Xoogler who was on a visa and got a green card sponsored by Google, from my own experience I and others in my position were treated very well.

Re: Google commits $1B in grants to train U.S. workers for high-tech jobs

#14

Post by leggomylibro »

Great, it's about time that these companies stepped up to bring more people into their workforce. It's ridiculous to complain to legislatures about skills shortages without stepping up to bring your own resources to bear on the issue.

Still, as nice as giving money to other organizations is, it would even better to see them actually training people from a diverse variety of backgrounds. They're not exactly taking any responsibility here.

Re: Google commits $1B in grants to train U.S. workers for high-tech jobs

#15

Post by vkou »

gaius wrote: post #3

Great! They won't need to offshore any more work! Or rely on exploiting H1B's!

As an H1B at Google, I do not feel at all exploited. I am treated... Just like my American co-workers.

Nothing like the horror stories I read about non-SV tech companies.

Re: Google commits $1B in grants to train U.S. workers for high-tech jobs

#16

Post by bkovacev »

wehere1 wrote: post #2

always remember: the industry's involvement in CS education has less to do with philanthropy and goodwill than it does with lowering the cost of labor over the long term

Well put. In my eyes this is simple math,they're investing now and are eliminating fees and adjustments for inflation in the future. The pool of workers will be bigger and all of the workers will be of somewhat same skill level which will eliminate the need for higher salaries + larger equity shares in order to get a high skilled worker. Their shares in the future will certainly be more valuable then 1B now, and this incentive will allow them to dictate the market.

Re: Google commits $1B in grants to train U.S. workers for high-tech jobs

#17

Post by dontreact »

twoquestions wrote: post #6

Stated differently, "Google commits $1B to flood the market with newbie tech workers, and to grow future client businesses". The cynic in me can clearly see their interest in the effects of this grant, but thinking on it more that interest might serve us better in the long run. I just hope the community gains from that money before it makes it's way back to Google.

Even if it's self interest, at least good to see a company thinking in very long term self interest. This aligns incentives much better with the common good.

Re: Google commits $1B in grants to train U.S. workers for high-tech jobs

#20

Post by cm2187 »

wehere1 wrote: post #2

always remember: the industry's involvement in CS education has less to do with philanthropy and goodwill than it does with lowering the cost of labor over the long term

High labor cost just because of skill shortage may be gratifying and lucrative for the happy few but is not an efficient allocation of resources for the wider society. Increasing the skill supply is the right thing to do.

Replace "developer" with any other profession to convince yourself.

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