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Boston invests $1m to expand digital literacy initiative
It will fund the DigLit 2.0 initiative, which aims to help equip residents with the digital skills required to succeed in today’s evolving job market.
The City of Boston is investing $1m in its Digital Literacy (DigLit) Initiative that helps workforce development programmes address digital literacy gaps.
This investment will fund the next phase of the initiative, DigLit 2.0, and equip 20 Boston-based job readiness and occupational training programmes with the infrastructure and capacity to deliver the digital skills necessary for residents to succeed in today’s evolving job market.
Closing digital literacy gaps
The announcement builds on the City’s efforts to better connect residents with job training and educational opportunities while working to close digital literacy gaps. In 2022, the Office of Workforce Development (OWD), led by the Worker Empowerment Cabinet, piloted the Digital Literacy Initiative (DigLit) in partnership with World Education to address digital access gaps identified through extensive community-engaged research.
The pilot, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, supported 25 Adult Basic Education (ABE) programmes that collectively serve 3,500 students annually. The pilot also yielded successful results for the participating programmes, including the increased use of digital tools, instructional software, communication tools, and technology used for instruction.
A pivotal outcome of this initiative was the Boston EdTech Routine Library, a repository that contains 70-plus remedial education instructional routines that integrate digital skills.
“Every resident across our neighbourhoods deserves to be equipped with the digital skills they need to access resources, secure good jobs in an evolving economy and be connected to more opportunities”
The expansion is funded by a Community Project Funding grant secured by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
“Closing the digital literacy gap is critical in our work to make Boston a city for everyone,” said mayor Michelle Wu. “Every resident across our neighbourhoods deserves to be equipped with the digital skills they need to access resources, secure good jobs in an evolving economy and be connected to more opportunities. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Pressley for securing this vital funding and look forward to coordinating with all of our partners to advance this important work forward.”
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Pressley added: “I am proud to deliver $1m in direct federal funds that we secured for Boston’s adult digital literacy initiative, which will expand access to digital skills, close gaps in our workforce development programmes, and open doors for our workers to grow and thrive.
“I’m grateful to mayor Wu and our local leaders for their partnership in bringing much-deserved digital literacy opportunities to our city.”
A launch event featured a panel with employers from Eversource, Boston Medical Centre, Dana-Farber, and life sciences alongside training providers from Just-A-Start, FCIT, and YMCA of Greater Boston. The panel was moderated by Priyanka Sharma, Director of World Education, and brought together voices from across Boston’s workforce ecosystem to explore how technology is transforming middle-skill roles, shifting skill demands, and how partnerships can better align training programmes with employer needs, especially amid rapid technological shifts driven by AI.
“At World Education, we recognise that digital skills are essential for unlocking opportunities in today’s tech-driven workforce,” said Priyanka Sharma, director of World Education. “We are proud to collaborate with the City of Boston and our partners to advance a shared vision for a stronger, more resilient workforce – one where every adult has the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy. Through the DigLit project, we are activating digital skills programming into training programmes, expanding career pathways, and empowering Boston’s communities with greater economic mobility.”
Digital literacy skills
Following the pandemic, digital literacy skills have proven to be crucial for workplace success. A report from the National Skills Coalition emphasises the critical importance of digital literacy for employment, revealing that, despite 92 per cent of jobs requiring digital skills, one-third of workers lack the foundational digital skills necessary for success in today’s job market.
Recognising this gap, the City has worked closely with various partners and employers to offer skills-based classes and opportunities for residents to be connected to digital literacy support. OWD continues to engage in field-building and capacity-building efforts to align training programmes with employer needs so Boston residents gain the skills necessary to access family-sustaining, quality jobs.
“Closing the digital literacy gap is critical in our work to make Boston a city for everyone”
Building on this initiative’s success, DigLit is expanding to support 20 additional Boston-based organisations: Asian American Civic Association; Boston Chinatown; Neighbourhood Centre; Breaktime United; Bridge Over Troubled Waters; Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston; El Centro Adult Education Programme; Community Work Services; Digital Ready; Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation; Immigrant Family Services Institute; International Institute of New England; Jamaica Plain Community Centres Adult Learning Programme; Julie’s Family Learning Programme; The Loop Lab; Maverick Landing Community Services; Mothers for Justice and Equality; New England Centre for Arts & Technology; Operation Able of Greater Boston; Somali Development Centre; St Stephen’s Youth Programmes; and YMCA of Greater Boston.
These programmes will receive technical assistance provided by World Education and funds to address their digital literacy needs, allowing them to deliver effective digital literacy training and help bridge the digital equity gaps faced by their training participants.
Phase 2 of the Digital Literacy Initiative, DigLit 2.0, is fully funded by FY2023 Community Project Funding totalling $1m (100 per cent) from the US Department of Labour with 0 per cent ($0.00) financed from non-federal sources.
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How will DigLit 2.0 improve digital skills in Boston residents?What role does World Education play in supporting DigLit 2.0?How does the initiative address digital literacy gaps in workforce training?Which Boston organizations will benefit from the $1 million investment?How are employers involved in aligning training with evolving job market needs?Latest City Profile
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