Qualcomm, FIRST® Partner to Foster Future Innovators
Qualcomm, FIRST® Partner to Foster Future Innovators
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is essential for invention. And as a company of inventors, Qualcomm is laying the groundwork for the next generation of innovators by supporting K-12 STEM education and inspiring greater diversity in the STEM workforce. This is becoming increasingly important as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that although STEM jobs are expected to grow at a rate of nearly double that of other fields, around 1.2 million such positions will be unfilled by 2018 because of a lack of applicable skills in the U.S. workforce.
In the more than 30 years since it was founded, Qualcomm has contributed to education by providing technology, funding programs, promoting community engagement, and more. Since 2006, the company has been a proud supporter of FIRST.® As a FIRST Strategic Partner, Qualcomm provides a wide range of support that includes technology integration in the FIRST® Tech Challenge control system, thousands of volunteer hours from employees across the globe, as well as substantial philanthropic contributions of several million dollars to support teams, events, and program growth.
“The skills that FIRST participants learn are a great foundation for their future careers,” said Matt Grob, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “These skills are critical to succeed in industries like ours, where brilliant minds need to constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
