Preparing America’s Workforce: Empowering Educators, Inspiring the Future

Key takeaways: Public-private partnerships and advanced technology are empowering educators, preparing students, and building a future-ready workforce to meet evolving demands.

To help kick off SXSW EDU this week, I moderated a session with leaders from Dell Technologies and Microsoft ,where we spoke with educators,administrators and edtech thought leaders about the role technology, most significantly AI, can play in shaping the future of teaching and learning in K-12. During the “Elevating Educators Through Inspired Technology” session, the conversation focused on how technology can empower teachers, not stress them out. The goal is to enhance the critical work educators do every day, rather than attempt to replicate it.

Teachers can often find themselves in a frustrating and potentially stalling situation, overwhelmed by the volume of available limited-use tools, yet unable to access new tools that could help. The panel highlighted the importance of building a connected technology ecosystem that meets all local, state and federal compliance measures while also allowing the teachers to reclaim time, personalize learning and better meet their students where they are.

During the conversation, the examples of a messy “junk drawer” or garage full of misunderstood equipment were brought up. Where as an intentional, well-designed ecosystem gets rid of the clutter of irrelevant or outdated tools while providing teachers with more information and easier access to the data and results they need. When teachers have access to the right tools at the right time – and understand how best to use them – the entire classroom experience is enhanced.

By using both classroom-ready and AI-ready devices, like our expanding portfolio of Dell Education laptops and 2-in-1s, and the purposeful integration of AI-enabled Microsoft 365 tools,  educators can lean more fully into connecting and teaching the future generation. Combining those technology tools and solutions with pathway programs and partnerships designed to build critical skills and meet future workforce demands, meets both the needs of K-12 educators today and the nation’s talent pipeline of tomorrow.

Beyond the device: A commitment to skilling

The national conversation around technology in education is shifting and increasingly focused on building a resilient, future-ready workforce. It’s not just about deploying the latest devices or software — it’s about ensuring the workforce has the robust technical and critical thinking skills required to take advantage of technology responsibly, drive innovation, and support the nation’s economic and security goals. Preparing both the next generation of workers and upskilling the current workforce is foundational to this vision.

Our skilling and workforce development programs are structured to empower educators as catalysts for change and equip learners with the competencies needed for evolving demands. This approach directly aligns with federal priorities to strengthen America’s talent pipelines, improve digital literacy and create opportunities in every community. By providing targeted training, hands-on learning opportunities and strategic support, we help schools and workforce development organizations drive meaningful and lasting change. This ensures that technology serves its ultimate purpose: to drive human progress.

Building skills from the classroom up

Our skilling initiatives are designed to reach learners at every stage of their educational journey. Beyond fostering technical skills, we aim to inspire critical thinking, collaboration and creativity.

Girls Who Game, created with partners Microsoft and Intel, creates a unique space for middle and junior high school students to explore coding, game design, and problem-solving. By using gaming as a gateway to STEM, Girls Who Game helps build confidence and sparks an early interest in technology-related fields, expanding the future talent pipeline for the tech industry from the ground up.

• • Student TechCrew uniquely positions high school students to become technology leaders within their own schools, while developing marketable technical and customer service skills. Participants learn to support their peers and teachers, manage IT assets and troubleshoot and repair devices. (Although our education portfolio is ruggedized to military standards, students can be especially hard on equipment. Serviceability is built in from the start.)
  • Tech Career Circuit, in partnership with Discovery Education, provides middle and high school educators with complementary, immersive resources and AI-focused learning to help prepare students for careers in the tech sector. With a focus on tech literacy and workforce readiness, the training helps demystify the industry and support students in connecting their interests to career paths.
  • Develop with Dell helps college students explore pathways to careers in technology. Utilizing a mix of on-demand training, group professional development sessions and opportunities to network with Dell professionals, students gain practical experience that bridges the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application in the tech industry and beyond.

Forging pathways to the future workforce

Preparing students for rapid technological change and an AI-enabled future requires strategic collaboration across education, industry and government. These public-private partnerships are essential to building a robust talent pipeline equipped with critical skills aligned to the nation’s workforce needs and economic priorities. By joining forces, we help create clear pathways to high-demand careers in technology and public service, supporting efforts to strengthen the nation’s competitiveness and capacity for innovation.

• • White House Taskforce on AI Education: Dell was one of the first companies to sign the White House pledge to support America’s youth through investment in AI education. We’re committed to lowering the barrier to AI in two key ways: by building technology that makes AI more accessible, and by investing in programs that build AI skills. We are proud to partner with the White House AI Education Taskforce to prepare students and workers for the jobs of tomorrow, shaping an AI ecosystem that drives human progress.
  • US Presidential AI Challenge: This new competition encourages K-12 students and teachers from across the country to utilize AI to solve real-world problems in key areas including educational innovation, public service, and community advancement. As the premier technology partner for the Presidential AI Challenge, Dell is powering the national competition with industry leading end-to-end AI technology solutions.
  • US Tech Force: Dell is among the founding private sector companies supporting Tech Force, the federal government’s innovative workforce development program designed to build a pipeline of skilled talent for public service. Early in career technologists are recruited to join federal agencies for two-year contracts to accelerate AI implementation and help solve some of the most critical technological challenges for our nation. Private sector partners assist with recruitment, technical training, mentorship and cohort management to help ensure the US government is equipped to meet the challenges of a competitive, digital world.

Technology is a powerful tool, but its true value is realized through the people and organizations that use it. Through our strategic public-private partnerships and skilling and workforce development programs, we are investing in a future where educators are empowered, students are prepared, and learning remains a lifelong commitment and journey.