West Chester, Pa (June 27, 2024) – Two Chester County organizations were awarded state grant funding to help job seekers prepare for employment opportunities with digital literacy skills, state Senator Carolyn Comitta announced today.
“In our economy, basic digital skills can not only make or break a job search, but they also can lay the foundation to get applicants in the door and on the path to long-term career success,” said state Senator Carolyn Comitta. “These new programs help ensure that job candidates can access the digital skills necessary to pursue family-sustaining jobs, as well as future opportunities for entrepreneurship and wage growth.”
The funding, which comes through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s (L&I) Digital Literacy and Workforce Development Grant Program, is as follows:
• $100,000 for the Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), Inc. to host trainings in Microsoft Windows, PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Outlook, along with an introduction to Communications and Social Media Applications, LinkedIn and Zoom. Students will receive intensive Word training to prepare them to take the Microsoft Word exam and attain the Microsoft Office certification. The training programs will begin this summer and run through Spring 2026.
• $100,000 for CCRES, Educational and Behavioral Health Services for the Chester County Prison Work Ready Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to equip inmates with the skills and knowledge necessary for job search strategies and methods. The program offers inmates, who are preparing for their release, the opportunity to learn about career choices, high-priority occupations, job readiness skills, creating a professional online presence, and some basic cybersecurity education. It focuses on developing skills like job search navigation, resume development, file uploads, interviewing strategies, professional networking and understanding the basics of online safety and security.
“Digital literacy programs offer every Pennsylvanian a chance to compete for a good job on a level playing field, and the Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting the programs across the Commonwealth that are connecting talented individuals with the knowledge they need to open doors to opportunity,” L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker said. “With this round of funding, we’re ensuring that organizations serving nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvania counties are empowered to offer this valuable service.”
The Digital Literacy and Workforce Development Grant Program supports programs that teach residents how to effectively navigate platforms used in the job search process and the workplace, including digital fundamentals, digital citizenship, and understanding digital information, especially in communities lacking access to broadband infrastructure and high-speed internet.
The Chester County grants come as part of 50 organizations statewide, awarded nearly $4.9 million in total funding through the program.
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