This browser does not support the Video element.
OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - Since its creation 18 years ago, Google has changed the face of technology. Now the internet giant is doing it again. This time changing the faces we see in the industry.
"We need more African American and Latino computer scientists in America, in Oakland," says Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.
To make it happen Google created its Code Next program. Google dedicated funds to open an office in Oakland's Fruitvale District.
The 1,500 square-foot lab is where students are taught coding, 3-D printing and other skills, which students say they don't get in their regular classes.
"We don't get to use computers all that well anyway. If we do you're just going to look on Google and ask a question or something," says Code Next Student Jamina Elamin.
The free program is in its pilot stage. It allows 70 9th grade students to come in after school for two hours a day.
"Wednesday's it's my leadership program and Thursday's is when I learn all the coding and how to compress a game and make a game," says Elamin.
"Programming and software development leadership skills communication in which will come in handy in any work field you do," says Code Next Student Jovir Llanes.
Important life skills needed to survive in the ever changing tech field.
"We want to create a surround sound around these kids to make sure we don't lose any of them. Simply because the support and the agency wasn't there," says Google's Director of Diversity and Inclusion.
The program also offers a seven hour Saturday session.
Google says its research shows that 51 percent of African American and 47 percent of Latino students don't have access to computer science classes, something that Google says needs to change and the tech giant wants to be at the head of that class.
"We're sitting so close to Silicon Valley and it makes no sense that some of these kids aren't getting the exposure or access. So we're here to make sure that the next leaders in our industry come from these communities and that many, many more of them are Black and Latino." says Thomas.
"We're the new generation of the community. We're the next leaders, the next developers. We are the new group of leaders to make a mark in the world," says Llanes.
Google says it relies on its partners to pump students into the pipeline. When it's all said and done, Google will follow this group of students through their senior year of high school, while adding a fresh crop of students each year.
Google is also opening up a space in Harlem, New York, in 2017.