Connect Ohio’s ‘Digital Works’ job creation program already placing workers twenty-first century jobs
ZANESVILLE –Connect Ohio revealed its newest initiative, Digital Workssm: Connecting People & Jobs, in Zanesville this June, and 21 participants have completed the program and been offered employment. Digital Works is a skills training program aimed at providing a link between twenty-first century workforce opportunities and community revitalization.
“Gary Chandler was a member of the Digital Works Zanesville first class; after successfully completing the training, he was offered his first job as a creative writer,” said Teresa Felton, Digital Works Zanesville facilitator. “He then became an customer service agent, Gary worked hard to obtain additional certifications and has now reached a dedicated agent status. Gary is working from the Digital Works site two days a week and takes calls from home the remainder of the week, now being able to support himself.”
The program provides mentoring and training to workers seeking employment and places them in quality teleworking jobs. At the end of training the workers are guaranteed placement in a position that matches their skills and interest. Structuring partnerships in the local communities is the backbone of the Digital Works program and is providing the success to get people employed.
Chandler previously worked third shift at a residential center for youth before becoming unemployed. After having multiple interviews and no job offers, the Digital Works program was a perfect fit for Chandler, who was looking to find work where he can have flexibility and make his own schedule.
“It feels real good, I was unemployed for nearly 6 months,” said Chandler. “One job I’ve done is to take a chapter of a book and extend it out. Digital Works has blown any type of conception I had away.”
Using a digital learning model, the Digital Works program trains, places, and mentors high-quality business process candidates and locates co-working centers in rural America settings where job demand is high, few employers exist, and the cost of living is the lowest. The Digital Works program is providing an avenue for vacant centers to become job incubators and retain workers in the area.
Digital Works facilities have opened in Zanesville and Logan. Both locations have held training sessions resulting in participants securing employment. Six additional Digital Works centers are opening across Ohio this October with long term plans for rolling out the program statewide.
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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a leading technology organization committed to bringing affordable high-speed Internet and broadband-enabled resources to all Ohioans. Connect Ohio effectively raises the awareness of the value of broadband and works to improve technology access, adoption, and use through its programs. Connect Ohio is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio’s communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org. Follow Connect Ohio on Facebook and Twitter.