Google Is Doing Something Wonderful For Women and Minorities

At the big Google I/O conference last week, you probably heard about all the ways the company is changing life as we know it. But what you might not have heard is some news that's just as important: Google is offering free coding classes to women and minorities.

This all comes after reports that women make up only 17 percent of Google's tech workers and African-Americans and Hispanics make up only one percent and two percent, respectively. (These low numbers, however, aren't just limited to Google but reach across the entire tech sector.)

During a speech at the conference, Google X Vice President Megan Smith said the company will pay for thousands of women and minorities already in tech to expand their skills with three months of education. To do so, Google is partnering with online educator Code School.

The company will handpick 1,000 people to receive the free education, while others will be chosen by referral. Others who are interested can apply right here. (You may also remember that Google Made With Code initiative aimed to get young girls to code.)

"It's no secret that diversity isn't the tech community's strong point — and we're always looking for opportunities to help change that," said Code School's Gregg Pollack.

And to that, we say, "Bravo!"