Verizon and nonprofit organization Generation announced a new multi-year strategic partnership aimed at closing the opportunity gap for American workers and expanding access to digital skills. A commitment of over $44 million from Verizon will significantly increase access to a free, technology-focused career training program to help reskill workers. Most of the funding will help to expand the reach of Generation’s workforce development operation, while the remainder will be provided to JFF, a national nonprofit driving transformation in the American workforce and education systems, which will help with program impact and evaluation. This effort is part of Citizen Verizon, Verizon’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement, and will build the foundation to reach the company’s goal of preparing 500,000 individuals for jobs of the future by 2030.
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The online reskilling program will provide free resources and access to multiple career pathways and full-time employment in high-demand technology sectors, including Junior Cloud Practitioner, Junior Web Developer, IT Help Desk Technician and Digital Marketing Analyst, with each program taking an average of 10 to 12 weeks to complete. New classes will begin in November and Generation is currently accepting students who are residents of Dallas, Las Vegas, Memphis, Miami, New Orleans, Seattle, Spartanburg, S.C. and Washington, D.C., with additional cities launching in 2021.
“Cutting-edge technology will continue to change how we work and how society operates, and we are committed to ensuring that all communities have the opportunity they need to help advance their skills, their education and their chance for economic prosperity,” said Rose Stuckey Kirk, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at Verizon. “Partnering with Generation enables us to bring their successful career training program into the homes of thousands of Americans who need it most and who it might not traditionally be available to.”
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The reskilling program is designed for workers who are unemployed, underemployed, facing job displacement due to automation, or further challenged by the pandemic; and will consist of technical and professional training. It will focus on vulnerable populations and those facing systemic challenges, giving priority to Black and Latinx applicants, women and those who do not have a four-year degree.
“We are excited to partner with a top technology leader like Verizon to help bring this program to individuals who will now be empowered to create their own pathways for career success,” said Sean Segal, Generation USA CEO. “We are not only providing individuals with the skills to be prepared for jobs in the digital world, but we are also equipping them with mentorship and social support services this population needs, while amassing a network of companies to help place graduates.”
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