Looking for Talent? Take the A Train

Hire.

If you're already sold on the idea of hiring from community-based programs, "don't think of a person as simply good for a job," Margolis advises. "Think of that person as good for an organization. Think of a career, not just a task."

Invest.

Build partnerships with tech-training organizations the way you do with tech startups. Donate software, hardware, office space, and training materials. By narrowing the digital divide, you are improving the capacity of the entire community.

Learn.

Sally Jo Fifer, 42, executive director of the San Francisco-based Bay Area Video Coalition, a member of the CitySkills alliance, attributes her organization's success in Web training to its focus on continuous learning. The organization trains about 150 adults a year, placing about 80% of them in jobs. "Lifelong learning skills are critical in the IT environment," Fifer says. "If your workers continue to learn, they'll remain competitive."