Training and employing the families of America’s finest
Connected Nation pursues their endeavor to protect the families of our protectors.
Summary
Connected Nation is an organization that seeks to close the digital divide in our nation through developing and providing tools, resources, and methods that help states and communities create and implement solutions to their broadband and digital technology gaps.
As they assess and plan for the expansion of broadband access, adoption, and use. They aim to empower people with technology skills and resources to improve their quality of life, as well as develop public-private partnerships to bring technology access to targeted geographies and population.
Loyal to this goal, Connected Nation partnered with GS2 through their Digital Works Project; this one-of-a-kind job creation program goes beyond training and placement to encompass high-demand, telework professions, and now it will help Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families.
An initiative of Connected Nation, Digital Works provides remote work for individuals that want more flexibility or need to transition to a new career.
Thus far, Digital Works has had1,000 job placements. With focus on rural areas, Digital Works has expanded to include a brick and mortar operation on Fort Campbell, KY and has trained 120 individuals in the past year through cohorts of 10-12.
Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky recognized the program as outstanding for its efforts in workforce development during the trying times of Covid-19.
Digital Works wants to expand and build this program around military installations, with hopes of training spouses with skills, providing mentorship, and offering employment opportunities that they can take with them to all duty stations.
GS2 is assisting Digital Works with a number of initiatives, including:
Construction of 4 additional locations to serve military families at: Joint Base Lewis/McCord, WA, Fort Hood, TX, Fort Knox, KY, and Fort Bragg, NC.
Writing a grant to provide the framework to expand the program nationally, with increased funding for training and work opportunities
Providing online training opportunities through a partnership with CareerStep
Advocating legislature to assist these goals