In the six regions of California targeted in this project by the California Emerging Technology Fund, high unemployment coupled with lagging residential broadband use create the need for broadband tools to help people develop information technology (IT) skills, digital literacy, and improve job placement. The project proposes to place unemployed residents in IT-industry jobs by providing outreach, training, and services to at-risk youth, English as a Second Language individuals, public housing residents, the homeless, and people with disabilities.
Qualified low-income persons will be able to earn laptop and desktop computers by graduating from a broadband training curriculum designed to create community broadband adoption ambassadors. To measure adoption and workforce development outcomes, CETF will utilize its own web-based standardized assessment tools to track the progress of all partners and participants, allowing for robust data collection and rapid performance monitoring and evaluation.