Google is set to launch a tech lab in Oakland to mentor the next generation of African-American and Latino computer scientists.

The internet behemoth is working with MIT media lab on the Code Next Lab, which has already run a pilot program.

It will focus on educating the Oakland youth on the educational and career possibilities that computer science and the nearby Silicon Valley offer.

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Google has already leased a space in Oakland`s Fruitvale Transit village, a 225,000-square-foot complex near the Fruitvale BART station, for its tech lab.

The tech lab will offer an after-school program for the middle-school students just as the school district is ramping up computer science curriculum for the kids in the area.

“This really allows us to have a meaningful experience and exposure for middle-school students that plants the seed of college and career readiness while still being in an environment that is sponsoring joy and creativity,” Oakland Unified School District manager of computer science Clare Shorall said.

This is Google`s maiden foray into Oakland where African-Americans and Latinos consist at least 50 percent of the total population.

It is one of the Silicon Valley companies that have been making a presence in the said part of California in an effort to hire more African-American and Latino workers. It can be noted that it has been criticized because of its hiring practices.

The internet giant revealed that it is hiring more black and Hispanic workers.

Reports showed that four percent of those hired in 2015 were black, five percent were Hispanic.

With the anticipated establishment of Google tech lab in Oakland, it is expected that these figures may even go higher.

TagsGoogle Tech Lab, Google, Google Tech Lab Oakland