Katie Marsal
Apple has announced it will invest more than $50 million into a number of nonprofit organizations, as part of a multi-year effort to increase the presence of women, minorities and veterans working in the technology industry.
Apple's efforts were revealed by Denise Young Smith, head of human resources at the company, in an interview with Fortune. Among the organizations that will be supported are the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the National Center for Women and Information Technology.
In addition, Young Smith said that Apple is talking to military leaders in an effort to find ways to provide technology training for veterans.
Thought Apple is investing in opportunities for people who don't typically seek technology jobs, the hope is that the entire sector benefits from its efforts. That's why the money is going to nonprofits who are not associated with Apple directly, the HR director said.
"In any of these programs, we're really trying to provide focus, impact and a ripple effect — Â not just on Apple," Young Smith said.
Under the leadership of Cook, Apple has been focusing on increasing diversity in its workplace in recent years. Last September, Apple also announced two $10,000 scholarships for minority university students looking at future careers in the tech industry.
Also last year, Apple published its first-ever diversity report, which was followed by a video noting that the inclusion of U.S. minorities inspires innovation. The short film was narrated by Young Smith.
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Andrew Orr
85 Comments
Anything a company does in this nature is great. However are minorities and women really that disadvantaged? If a woman was driven are you telling me they would not be able to navigate into tech? Or a black skinned american? I am being serious. I just do not believe that there is a disadvantage if you apply yourself. Thoughts???
I guess from one perspective, if there are no qualified candidates to choose from in the future, then it will be much more problematic for Apple to hire any people to fill needed positions. From another perspective, I imagine this is a tax write-off. From yet another perspective, this isn't that much money. From one more perspective... will the recipients of these funds be expected to apply for a job at Apple first?
Anything a company does in this nature is great. However are minorities and women really that disadvantaged? If a woman was driven are you telling me they would not be able to navigate into tech? Or a black skinned american? I am being serious. I just do not believe that there is a disadvantage if you apply yourself. Thoughts???
I agree. People should be judged individually, not by race or sex or some other collectivist metric.
Suck it, Apple][.
A sad day in the history of tech.
I am against all of this liberal racism and sexism. May the best qualified person get the job. That's all that should count.
Not all industries will appeal to all groups of people, it is what it is. I do not believe that any external effort should be made to influence and upset the natural balance of things.