Digital Equity
Connecting for Full Economic Potential
Digital Equity
Connecting for Full Economic Potential
By Broderick Johnson
|
Sep 19, 2024
As students and parents across the U.S. welcome the new school year, they’re stocking up on pencils, notebooks, and backpacks — the supplies needed to succeed. However, after participating in a roundtable discussion with policymakers last week, we talked about what may be the most crucial supply to students in the modern economy – digital skills and being connected to broadband.
Through the work of the National Skills Coalition, we know that 92% of today’s jobs need digital skills. What’s more, these jobs on average earn 23% more money. Even among young people entering the workforce though, digital skills still need to be nurtured and built, and reinforced not just in school but at home with devices that can access the Internet.
92%
Of today’s jobs require at least one digital skill
Business Forward hosted a roundtable in Chicago, the city where we first launched Internet Essentials thirteen years ago. Joining us was Dorri McWhorter, President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and U.S. Congresswoman Kelly, whose district starts in Chicago and goes out to Pontiac, and has “city slickers, suburbanites, and farmers.” Broadband is critical in each of those communities, and they each have different challenges. U.S. Representative Gabe Amo of Rhode Island also participated in the discussion and noted even in a small, highly connected state like Rhode Island there are still gaps and disparities in getting people online.
Internet Essentials tries to tackle the main issues faced by those who have access to broadband at home, but haven’t adopted it yet. The program provides low-cost devices, affordable broadband, and digital inclusion services to show the relevancy of the Internet and how learning digital skills is critical to advancing in today’s economy.
Those skills were noted by Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate who said digital skills are essential to get the certifications today’s auto industry requires for jobs. “The amount of code and sophistication in autos, it’s like an F16, the auto industry is the tech industry,” he said.
In a survey of Internet Essentials customers, 88% reported the service helped their children achieve better grades. Further, 52% said it helped them secure better employment opportunities.
88%
Of surveyed Internet Essentials customers reported the service helped their children achieve better grades
In rural areas like the 2,000 farms in Rep. Kelly’s district, a lack of infrastructure is a more pronounced challenge. Fortunately, the federal government is investing billions to bring high-speed Internet to the 7% of households the FCC broadband maps find don’t have access to broadband. This is an expansion effort that Comcast is proud to participate in with communities across our footprint. Time is of the essence to get everyone connected.
Through our Internet Essentials Partner Program, school districts, cities, and community-based organizations can sponsor high-speed Internet services for low-income families, particularly those with K-12 students. We’ve also opened free WiFi in more than 1,250 community centers across the country through our Lift Zones program. Some also offer Digital Navigators – trusted individuals who can educate people about the importance of getting online and provide their clients with advice and the tools to do so.
1,250
Lift Zones in community centers across the country
As we embark on this academic year, one thing is clear: the symphony of actions to get students online will prepare the next generation for a lifetime of digital learning — one child at a time.
Broderick D. Johnson is Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Executive Vice President, Digital Equity for Comcast Corporation.
