The City of Chicago opened two new public computer centers and upgraded 14 in communities throughout the city to help low-income residents acquire the digital literacy skills needed for today’s workforce. These centers provide free access to broadband, digital literacy classes, and workforce development workshops to help individuals acquire the skills needed to find and retain jobs.

BTOP funds have allowed the project to deploy more than 970 new workstations in libraries, public housing sites, workforce facilities, and senior centers that are located in economically vulnerable areas of the city where community members often cannot afford broadband access. The centers offer classes such as computer basics, Internet fundamentals, Microsoft® Office, and business email writing techniques. Center visitors can also receive assistance with resume creation, job searches, interview preparation, and scholarship applications. Through March 2012, more than 2,000 people have participated in these classes.

In addition to helping center visitors with job searches, some of the computer centers are hiring participants who successfully complete training. For example, as of March 2012, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) has hired eight former students as training coordinators.

The city’s goal is to help Chicagoans improve their lives through computer resources and educational opportunities. The project plans to upgrade and expand workstation capacity at more than 150 locations and is developing the Digital Skills Initiative, a series of self-paced, online modules that will teach residents computer and workforce development skills. Launching in fall 2012, Chicagoans will have free access to over 300 modules covering topics from computer basics to advanced spreadsheet manipulation.