About CATC

Unite the community to open career pathways that inspire, advance, and grow a diverse technology talent pipeline.

Charlotte Area Technology Collaborative (CATC) brings together businesses, education, government and organizations to promote and grow the development of a diverse and skilled technology pipeline. The Collaborative provides learning and growth opportunities for future and current technology professionals, promoting innovation and entrepreneurism, advancing the technology profession and fostering economic development.

The Collaborative is Charlotte’s hub for the technology community and a clearinghouse for meaningful and needed technology education and activities in the Charlotte Region. The organization is governed by area executive leaders who meet throughout the year to oversee the financial and operational aspects of the business.

Our Mission

Unite the community to open career pathways that inspire, advance, and grow a diverse technology talent pipeline.

Our Vision

Advance Charlotte’s technology talent for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunity.

Learn About Our Programs

Inspire | Advance | Grow

Inspire

Engage and encourage students in grades 6 – 20 to explore and pursue technology careers and the profession through business connections and experiential learning opportunities.

Exploring Futures in Technology Today (eFITT)

eFiTT is a free monthly middle school program led by CATC partners where students can learn more about IT. These creative sessions cover a variety of IT topics including hands-on activities as well as presentations from IT professionals. The content varies each month.

Annual Impact: 20 middle or high school students
Frequency: Monthly – September to May
Volunteers: One or more to lead or support / session

Pay I.T. Forward

An Annual program during Computer Science Education Week which is dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in STEM with a focus on technology. Industry volunteers are invited to lead a classroom session that introduces students to careers in IT and/or engages the students with a hands-on activity.

The next step is to launch Pilot, a monthly school year program where businesses ‘adopt’ a school and engage with a selected group of students. Students will be tracked throughout high school and will be measured for technology career progress and post high school direction.

Annual Impact: 2018 – 27 businesses (120 volunteers) engaged with 7 high schools. An estimated 500 students impacted
Frequency: Annual – 1-2 hours for 2 days the first week of December
Volunteers: 20–30 students/volunteers and one or more classroom(s)

STATsquad

Afterschool program in partnership with National Amateur Sports, teaches students to use school sports analytics to study how to gather, display, interpret and use basic statistical data to improve knowledge of team dynamics and offer insight to the athletes and teachers/ coaches.

Annual Impact:12- 20 students directly / 200+ students indirectly / teachers/ coaches
Frequency: Fall and Spring Sport Schedule
Volunteers: One or more

Aspirations in Computing Awards

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing builds a talent pool for the growing technical workforce and helps academic and corporate organizations celebrate diversity in computing by honoring young women at the high-school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing; leadership ability; academic history; and plans for post-secondary education.

Annual Impact: Unlimited number of high school girls may apply. Average 20 females
Frequency:
- Applications – Fall
- National Awards – March
- Regional Awards – April
Volunteers: One or more

Advance

Provide channels for technology professionals to network, share ideas and collaborate on advancing the technology profession.

WISE

WISE, a program for women and men, connects and engages the Charlotte ecosystem – promoting opportunity, creating visibility and encouraging interest in technology careers for girls and advancing women in the IT profession. The program grows and supports women in the technology pipeline through events and new activities to leverage a formal network of executives to progress women into new positions and through outreach to encourage and support young women in their pursuit of technology careers.

Quarterly events, monthly networking and outreach programs.

Annual Impact: 20 middle or high school students
Frequency: Monthly – September to May
Volunteers: One or more to lead or support / session

Blue Diamond Awards Celebration

Annual celebration recognizing significant technology achievements from individuals and organizations that leverage technology to support their business initiatives in the Charlotte region. The award categories recognize accomplishments in Human Capital, Community Outreach, Cool Innovation and Business Value, in addition to awards for best IT Entrepreneur and Student Innovator. The Blue Diamond Awards is more than just an awards ceremony; it is a gathering of top IT and business executives.

Annual Impact: Annual recognition for Greater Charlotte, Winners, Finalists and more
Frequency: Annual
Volunteers: Leadership and committee roles

Counselors for Computing (C4C)

A localized NCWIT program led by CATC, equips school counselors with up-to-date information and resources they can use to advise students, especially under represented populations, about computing education and careers.

Annual Impact: Middle and High School Counselors and Teachers.
Frequency: Annual
Volunteers: Committee roles

Grow

Attract technology talent, both new to Charlotte and reskilling to promote Charlotte as the technology hub through presenting informative events, supporting innovation and entrepreneurism to foster economic development.

STEMersion

STEMersion is two-week summer immersion camp for CMS teachers. Teachers visit businesses for ½ to full day to learn about STEM career opportunities and career pathways. Teachers experience hands on activities, tours and panel discussions. Teachers take their learnings back to their school faculty and classroom.

CATC focuses on recruiting businesses across all industries that will highlight technology careers.

Annual Impact: 50 teachers per year. CATC launched the technology focus in 2013.
Frequency: Annual
Volunteers: Businesses and associates to host teachers.

Charlotte Career Discovery Day (CMS * City of Charlotte)

The Charlotte Career Discovery Day is a collaboration between the City of Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), with support from various community stakeholders. It’s a highly engaging event for students that will feature a variety of interactive industry zones designed to expose 4,000 youth to emerging careers in a variety of sectors

Annual Impact: 4000 High School Students
Frequency: Annual
Volunteers: 2 -3 volunteers to person the table. Recruit businesses to participate