Washington state, like many other regions, faces a digital skills gap. While Washington is home to major technology companies that help foster a highly skilled tech workforce, there are still significant disparities in digital skills among specific populations and industries across the state.
New research underscores the urgency and potential economic mobility if Washington directs significant resources to high-quality digital skills training programs. 92% of today’s jobs require digital skills, and demand is consistently high across industries in Washington, including information (99%); healthcare (95%); arts, entertainment, and recreation (90%); and agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (86%). These jobs, on average, earn 23% more money, highlighting the significant potential for economic mobility and a brighter future for many.
Comcast recently held the third annual Digital Equity Network convening at Evergreen Goodwill in Seattle. This event brought together non-profit leaders in the Pacific Northwest who are working collectively with Comcast toward a common purpose of increasing access and adoption of the Internet, helping people get online, building digital skills, and opening doors to economic mobility. The convening featured panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, providing a platform for these leaders to share their experiences and strategies in advancing digital equity.
Participating experts from Seattle Housing Authority, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, Literary Source, Kay Tita, Easterseals Washington, Goodwill of Olympics and Rainier Region, Evergreen Goodwill, El Centro de la Raza, Workforce Development Council, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, and more had an opportunity to discuss the advancement of digital equity. They shared the challenges, opportunities, and successes of closing the digital skills gap in Washington. Among the key insights was the most needed resource and expertise from others to advance digital equity is consortium building and advocacy (23%), a powerful tool that surpasses grant funding and community program support (19%) and can mobilize more support, empowering us all to make a difference.
The convening provided an excellent opportunity for consortium building by enabling participants to identify collaboration and partnership opportunities to further close the digital skills gap in Washington. For example, Easterseals Washington and Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County are working to share their programming expertise to blend support for youth on the autism spectrum by exploring how to create a physical space at the Boys & Girls Club to expand programs for unique learning abilities. In addition, Kay Tita connected with Evergreen Goodwill and now utilizes the Comcast Lift Zone at their facility to provide their Digital Sales Access Program (DSAP), inspiring success stories that encourage us all to continue our efforts.
As the world becomes more digital, Comcast’s goal is to ensure that everyone can participate and excel in today’s society. We are proud to work with these trusted community organizations, which are leading the way in training people to access the Internet, use devices, and build digital skills.
