Online Learning Builds Economic Empowerment for Low-Income Workers

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Making online learning more available and accessible to low-income working
adults was the focus of a Capitol Hill briefing sponsored by the Communications
Workers of America, the Alliance for Digital Equality, and the Alliance for
Public Technology.

The briefing spotlighted a new report that stresses that the innovative use of
information technology - personal computers and high speed broadband - can be a
cost-effective way to helping working adults expand their skills and move beyond
entry-level jobs.

That report, "Online Learning for Low Skill Adults," was authored by Heather
McKay at the Rutgers University Center for Women and Work. The report is being
released by the Rutgers University Center for Women and Work and Speed Matters,
a public policy initiative of CWA.

Since 2002, the Sloan Center on Innovative Training and Workforce Development at
Rutgers has been working to develop online skills training and credential
programs for working adults. There are now programs in place in more than 21
states.

President Obama`s economic recovery plan includes $7.2 billion to provide grants
for programs that "facilitate access to broadband service by low-income,
unemployed, aged, and otherwise vulnerable populations in order to provide
educational and employment opportunities to members of such populations." This
first-ever public initiative to help bring broadband access to citizens and
communities now not served is a big step toward improving citizens` lives and
livelihoods. This report gives important guidance about how to structure these
programs for success, based on actual experience in New Jersey and Texas.

For example, the report documents that participants were most successful when
they had access to high speed broadband. In New Jersey, the majority of
participants in a pilot program did not have access to high speed Internet
connections and in fact had to use "dial-up" services. This caused many
problems, including the slow loading of websites and especially graphics, and
frequent disconnection, and prevented many participants from completing their
coursework. When participants were given access to faster connections, their
online learning experiences were much more successful, the report found.

The report finds that there`s no question that "education is the key to moving
lower-skilled adults into jobs that pay wages that meet family needs and enable
families to be self sufficient." Yet many educational credential programs don`t
take into account the barriers to education and training that many of these
adults face: irregular work hours, lack of access to transportation, child care
and family responsibilities, and more.

Online learning provides a real opportunity for workers to overcome these
challenges and participate in programs that are tailored to their career and
educational goals.

Moderating the briefing was Maynard Scarborough, executive director of the
Alliance for Digital Equality, which works to bridge the digital divide and
empower communities.

Also participating were Heather McKay, author of the report; Eileen Appelbaum,
Director of the Center for Women and Work at Rutgers University; C. Vanessa
Spinner of the University of the District of Columbia; Debbie Goldman, CWA; and
Karyne Jones of the Alliance for Public Technology. CWA is a leading voice for
the build out of high speed broadband and access for all Americans. APT works
for public policy that ensures access to advanced telecommunications
technologies for all Americans.

Chris Gaston, Legislative Director for Rep. Russ Holt (D-NJ), discussed the
Online Job Training Act of 2009 (H.R. 145), which would amend the Workforce
Investment Act to provide grants to states for online employment training
programs.

Get the full report at www.speedmatters.org/onlinelearningreport.

Candice Johnson, CWA Communications, cjohnson@cwa-union.org and 202-434-1168
Heather McKay, Rutgers University, hmckay@rci.rutgers.edu and 609-870-5224
Nyasha Buchongo, ADE, nbuchongo@adeql.org and 404.815.9484

Copyright Business Wire 2009