The Need
Digital skills are crucial in today’s workplace, and not only for white collar professions. Construction workers view blueprints on tablets, healthcare workers log patient information into databases, and working from home is appealing to companies even in a post-pandemic future. However, many low- and no-income workers are getting left behind on the wrong side of a growing digital skills gap. We know that this skills gap disproportionately impacts job seekers and workers of color. The Digital Divide is defined as the disparity in digital knowledge and affordable access to technology that is largely a by-product of economic inequality rooted in racial inequity and lack of investment in communities of color. The Pew Research Center reports that 46% of Blacks and 48% of Hispanics believe that digital literacy training would help “a lot” in terms of making important decisions, in contrast to just 20% of Whites.
32% increase in demand for Foundational Digital Skills over the last 5 years.
Less than 1 out of 5 of job seekers and incumbent employees can claim these necessary skills on their resumes.
low-income (making < $30,000) households do not own a computer. 29% don’t even own a smartphone
Internet Access by Race
The STRIVE Solution
STRIVE is uniquely positioned to bridge the Digital Divide. We primarily serve those who are less likely to have foundational digital skills, including Black and Brown communities. Now that digital skills are necessary to compete and thrive in the workforce, these communities are at an even greater disadvantage. STRIVE will ensure that students can overcome this barrier by incorporating digital skills into every aspect of our signature Career Path program. We have identified three tiers of knowledge that all students across all training pathways will be able to achieve through Digital Skills @ STRIVE©:
Foundational Digital Skills
Provides a baseline digital skillset workers need regardless of industry. These skills can be as simple as creating an e-mail address or accessing the internet. They can be as complex as crafting a resume or searching for jobs online. Students also learn these skills on platforms and devices that reflect the workplace, such as Zoom, LinkedIn, and Microsoft Office Suite. This increases their familiarity and capability in real work settings.
Occupational Digital Skills
Develops specific technology-related skills needed for a particular occupation or industry. For example, prospective healthcare workers must have medical billing and coding skills.
Advanced Digital Skills
Gives STRIVE alumni the opportunity to keep their skills fresh and advance their careers through certifications and continued development. As technology and job requirements evolve, STRIVE will make sure all students, past and present, are ready for them.
STRIVE student demographics
Beyond gaining digital skills, STRIVE is addressing the Digital Divide by ensuring all students have equitable access to the resources needed to learn and practice these skills. Not everyone has access to high-speed wireless internet or functioning hardware and software, and STRIVE is committed to providing these to students who need them.
1 The Pew Research Center reports: [https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/08/20/smartphones-help-blacks-hispanics-bridge-some-but-not-all-digital-gaps-with-whites/][0]
2 [https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/05/07/digital-divide-persists-even-as-lower-income-americans-make-gains-in-tech-adoption/][1] [0]: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/08/20/smartphones-help-blacks-hispanics-bridge-some-but-not-all-digital-gaps-with-whites/ [1]: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/05/07/digital-divide-persists-even-as-lower-income-americans-make-gains-in-tech-adoption/