Comcast Partners With National Skills Coalition To Close the Digital Skill Divide

Rhea-AI Summary

Comcast announced a collaboration with the National Skills Coalition (NSC) on February 10, 2023, to enhance digital equity in the U.S. This partnership is backed by a $200,000 grant from Comcast aimed at bridging workforce development with federal funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) and the Digital Equity Act (DEA). The initiative addresses the alarming statistic that nearly 50 million Americans lack essential digital skills, particularly affecting low-income and minority communities. The funding will assist states in expanding broadband access and training local workers, thus aiming to close the digital skills gap.

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• Comcast's $200,000 grant will support workforce development through digital equity initiatives.
• Partnership aims to close the digital skills gap impacting nearly 50 million Americans, enhancing workforce readiness.

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• None.

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / February 10, 2023 / Comcast announced a partnership with the National Skills Coalition (NSC) to educate local, state, and national decision makers about the benefits of the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to promote digital equity and opportunity nationwide. The initiative aims to help close the digital skill divide that is currently limiting educational and employment opportunities for nearly 50 million Americans.

NSC received a $200,000 grant from Comcast to help state leaders bridge existing workforce development programs with federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) and Digital Equity Act (DEA) funding. Digital skills are now required across virtually every industry and occupation, yet nearly one in three U.S. workers lack the foundational digital skills necessary to enter and thrive in today's workforce, with workers of color and those earning lower wages disproportionately affected. These programs represent a once-in-a-generation investment in closing the digital skills gap equitably.

"If local, state, and federal decisionmakers fully understand its potential - and if workforce and broadband offices work together on its implementation - this federal investment in digital equity could have a profound impact on closing the digital skill divide for tens of millions of America's workers," said Andy Van Kleunen, NSC CEO. "We're grateful to Comcast for their partnership in making that happen."

When digital skills grow, our economy grows.

DALILA WILSON-SCOTT

EVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

"The demand for digital skills exists across every industry and throughout the workforce. That's why we're proud to partner with the National Skills Coalition to help ensure more local and national leaders are aware of and take advantage of public sector digital equity funds to invest in the skill development programs that are critical to closing our country's digital divide," said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in 2021, states have recently begun to receive historic federal investments in digital equity through the $42 billion BEAD program and the $2.75 billion DEA.

BEAD funding will help states expand access to broadband, digital devices, and digital skills in unserved or under-served communities. BEAD also invests in training local workers to install and maintain new broadband infrastructure in their communities. Complementary, DEA will provide grants to states to support a range of digital inclusion activities, including digital skill building and efforts to advance awareness of adoption programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program.

In addition to the grant, NSC and Comcast will partner on research, communications, and trainings that highlight best practices for implementing federal digital inclusion funding. The work will engage federal, state and local officials; state workforce and digital inclusion advocates; and national equity organizations.

Comcast's partnership with the National Skills Coalition is part of Project UP, the company's comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.

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SOURCE: Comcast Corporation

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https://www.accesswire.com/738945/Comcast-Partners-With-National-Skills-Coalition-To-Close-the-Digital-Skill-Divide

FAQ

What is Comcast's partnership with the National Skills Coalition about?

Comcast's partnership focuses on enhancing digital equity and skills among Americans, supported by a $200,000 grant.

How will Comcast's $200,000 grant be used?

The grant will help bridge workforce development programs with federal funding for digital equity initiatives.

What federal programs are involved in Comcast's digital equity initiative?

The initiative involves funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) and the Digital Equity Act (DEA).

What is the impact of the digital skills gap on the workforce?

Nearly one in three U.S. workers lack foundational digital skills, limiting employment opportunities, especially for low-income and minority workers.

What is Comcast's Project UP?

Project UP is Comcast's comprehensive initiative aimed at advancing digital equity and addressing the digital skills gap.