VariQ’s CEO Ben Edson was invited to address the Montgomery County Council and university and college representatives in order to provide a better understanding of the tech workforce demand for Montgomery County. As a board member of Worksource Montgomery, an organization in Rockville that helps increase the ability of individuals to compete for higher-quality jobs, Ben represented the technology industry to discuss ways to enhance the tech career pathway to better meet the talent shortage.
Ben Edson is a strong advocate of the importance of talent development for the county. Ben stated, “The ability of both the tech industry and educational institutions to raise up new talent and open career pathways for the up and coming generation is vital not only for the industry’s benefit and the development of a vibrant economy, but also for the empowerment of the underemployed and unemployed. It is vital that the connections be made between potential talent and the industry.”
VariQ has worked to provide opportunities to the upcoming generation of technology innovators through its internship programs, including its Cyber Security Internship Program since 2012, and provision of 50+ internships to college students. VariQ partners with University of Maryland’s Cyber Program to provide cybersecurity students the professional skills needed to succeed in the workplace, and is a proud sponsor of high school students in the WorkSource Montgomery R.I.S.E. (Real Interesting Summer Experience) Program as a Career Experience Host.
