- Connectivity Policy Corps
- Digital Skills for Workforce Legislation
- Bipartisan Wi-Fi Caucus Relaunched
- Massachusetts Funds Skills Training
- States Call for Broadband Funding
- Local Governments Support Digital Literacy
CONNECTIVITY POLICY CORPS
Two nonprofit organizations — the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and Public Knowledge — have teamed up to launch the Connectivity Policy Corps (CPC).
The new program is designed to shape policies related to broadband and digital inclusion. The CPC will provide a sustained platform for its first, yearlong cohort of 18 digital inclusion advocate organizations from 14 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.
“As we sit on the cusp of the next digital revolution with artificial intelligence, the need for affordable and inclusive broadband access has never been greater,” Chris Lewis, president and CEO of Public Knowledge, said in a statement.
Angela Siefer, NDIA’s executive director, has previously told Government Technology that the emergence of AI increases the digital divide — “100 percent.” She has also said it creates new inequities related to people’s need for training and education on the technology, including the human biases it demonstrates.
CPC members will also participate in communications initiatives like panel discussions and op-eds.
The goal is that, through the program, local digital equity practitioners’ voices will be elevated to address various sectors in which broadband access, affordability and adoption have a direct impact — namely, education, economic opportunities, health care and civic participation.
Mission Telecom, a nonprofit wireless carrier, is supporting CPC’s work. More information about the CPC can be found on the program’s website.
DIGITAL SKILLS FOR WORKFORCE LEGISLATION
In federal news, several members of the U.S. Congress introduced the bipartisan, bicameral legislation known as the Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act.
“As Americans face a rapidly changing job market, it’s crucial they be empowered with the digital skills they need to succeed in the contemporary workforce,” U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine said in a statement.
The vast majority of jobs today require digital skills — a demand driven in part by AI, even as AI is increasingly one of the digital skills people require. Despite this need, about one-third of workers lack foundational digital skills, according to data from the National Skills Coalition.
Programs like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) are not permitted to use federal resources for digital skills training; the new legislation would address this issue by amending WIOA to establish a new grant program, expanding digital skills training in existing workforce development systems.
The legislation is supported by various organizations that champion workforce development, including the National Skills Coalition, American Library Association, National Coalition for Literacy, National Collaborative for Transformative Youth Policy and National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
BIPARTISAN WI-FI CAUCUS RELAUNCHED
In other federal news, U.S. Congress members announced the relaunch of the bipartisan, bicameral Wi-Fi Caucus last week. It will be chaired by U.S. Reps. Troy A. Carter Sr., and Bob Latta, and Sens. Pete Ricketts and Jacky Rosen.
The Wi-Fi Caucus, founded in 2018, is intended to help educate Congress members on the role of Wi-Fi in serving the U.S. public, the economy and the U.S.’ geopolitical standing, to inform policymaking.
“The recently launched Wi-Fi Caucus provides an excellent bipartisan forum for open and informed dialogue,” Wireless Internet Service Providers Association President and CEO David Zumwalt said in a statement.
MASSACHUSETTS FUNDS SKILLS TRAINING
New funding in the amount of $4.5 million, through Massachusetts’ Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program, will support projects that help cities and towns expand Internet and device access, digital skills training, and community engagement.
The implementation grants will target projects that focus on connectivity for economic hardship, device distribution, digital literacy and education, public space modernization, staff capacity, and Wi-Fi access.
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) has also added 10 municipalities to the program.
“Municipalities are using state resources and data collection to identify gaps and carry out plans to best support residents as Massachusetts strives for internet for all,” MBI Program Executive Jody Jones said in a statement.
STATES CALL FOR BROADBAND FUNDING
In state news, more than 160 bipartisan state legislators wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth calling on them to honor Congress’ “clear intent” for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds for “non-deployment” purposes as designed under the bipartisan infrastructure law.
Stakeholders have been continuously urging the release of these funds since summer.
“Congress was clear: non-deployment investments are not optional extras, they are central to BEAD’s mission,” the letter said, underlining that this program structure was designed intentionally to give states flexibility to meet their constituents’ unique connectivity needs.
“Non-deployment” funds are intended to support things like building AI infrastructure, improving how permitting is done, improving cybersecurity and developing the telecommunications workforce.
Effective broadband and BEAD deployment depends on those non-deployment investments, the letter said, asking the U.S. Department of Commerce to release the funds so states can use them as designed. “Without it, BEAD will fail to deliver the full value Congress intended and taxpayers deserve.”
Not releasing the non-deployment funds would be disregarding the law, the letter said.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT DIGITAL LITERACY
At the community level, digital skills training is a priority.
Clayton County, Ga., is hosting a course next week about the basics of using Microsoft Excel, educating participants on how to use a spreadsheet, format and sort data, and insert charts and images. Computers will be available for people who cannot bring their own.
AARP, a nonprofit organization that supports older adults, will be hosting a series of educational sessions at the Laramie County Library in Wyoming. These are free and open to people of any age. Topics include job searching in the digital age, AI skills, and how to use digital tools to contact lawmakers.
