Last week, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo participated in a roundtable discussion with National Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) nationwide and addressed the importance of equity, access to education, and a trained workforce. The event kicked off National Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Week, a precursor to the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, and was hosted by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

During the roundtable, the Secretary stressed the importance of HSIs in preparing the next generation of leaders for the jobs of the future. In particular, she spoke about the need for HSIs to be part of the workforce in the manufacturing of chips in America. Chips form the foundation of every advanced technology, including the smartphone, cloud computing services, new cars, medical devices, and the weapons systems we use today.

“At the Commerce Department, we’ve issued a call to action to colleges, universities, high schools, community colleges, unions, and the private sector to help us build the workforce of the future, especially when it comes to chips,” said Raimondo. “Because there is going to be a demand for these jobs, we want HSIs to be part of the workforce training pipeline for chips in America.”

The Secretary emphasized the Biden Administration’s commitment to rebuild our infrastructure, supercharge innovation, combat the climate crisis, and shore up our supply chains. These investments, as outlined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, are expected to create hundreds of thousands of good jobs that have the potential to change lives, offer family-sustaining benefits, and lead to long-term career pathways. 

“Access to high-quality education is paramount in building a more equitable society not only for the Hispanic community but for women, people of color, and rural communities,” said Raimondo. “The Commerce Department is committed to equity and ensuring every person is given the resources and opportunities to thrive and succeed.

Each year, from September 15—October 15, the Nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the importance of diversity and recognizing the work of Hispanic leaders. Over our Nation’s history, the Hispanic American community and the Hispanic American business community have provided invaluable contributions that have enriched America’s economy and society. 

The Commerce Department offers a wide range of services to help U.S.-based companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and minority and women-owned businesses compete and be successful while strengthening the United States’ role as a global leader. To learn more, visit https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2021/10/recognizing-hispanic-american-heritage-month-commerce-department-offers-valuable

This blog is part of a series by the Commerce Department’s Office of Public Affairs and Office of Public Engagement which highlights events and initiatives that inform the public about the Department’s important work and priorities as outlined in the Department’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan.