Connect Ohio launches innovative ‘Digital Works’ – a sustainable job creation program bringing technology-based jobs to local communities
CARROLLTON – Wednesday, Connect Ohio held the grand opening of its newest Digital Works location in Carrollton. Digital Works is a technology skills training program aimed at providing a link between twenty-first century workforce opportunities and community revitalization. The program provides mentoring and training to workers seeking employment and places them in quality teleworking jobs. The event was held at the Digital Works center located in Carrollton at 11 E. Main Street, with remarks from dignitaries, and representatives of program partners Carroll County Economic Development and Frontier Communications.
“I couldn’t be happier that Carroll County was chosen to be part of the Digital Works job network,” said Carroll County Commissioner Tom Wheaton. “This opens up many opportunities for our residents to be trained and to be employed at jobs that would never have been available in our county. Connected Nation’s and Connect Ohio’s continued efforts to provide broadband to those in need and to provide applications that create jobs is phenomenal. I am sure this will be a continued success for many years to come.”
Frontier Communications announced that it recently expanded high-speed Internet coverage that will service up to 200 households in the Sherrodsville area. 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. At the end of training the workers are guaranteed placement in a position that matches their skills and interest.
“Digital Works has seen remarkable success and we are thrilled about expanding the program in Carrollton, allowing us to connect even more people to jobs,” said Stu Johnson, executive director of Connect Ohio. “The Digital Works sites already up and running have secured employment for many people, just weeks after opening. The Digital Works Carrollton site would not have been possible without the support of our public-private partnerships with Carroll County Economic Development, the Commissioners, and Frontier Communications.”
Digital Works is providing an avenue for vacant buildings to become job incubators and retain workers in the area. Eight Digital Works locations have opened across Ohio with additional sites in the process of opening. Currently 28 positions have been offered to participants of the Digital Works training program since launching the program in the summer.
“Digital Works is going to be a great asset to Carroll County bringing jobs back home to Carroll County residents,” said Aaron Dodds, director of Carroll County Economic Development. “We are lucky to have a company such as Digital Works come to do business in our county and highlight Carroll County’s strong work ethic and desire to do business.”
Digital works is currently taking applicants for the program and they can register at www.digitalworksjobs.org.
Photo caption: Connect Ohio staff, Connected Nation staff, state and local dignitaries, officials from Carroll County Economic Development and Frontier Communications, held a ribbon cutting event for the grand opening of Digital Works in Carrollton Wednesday, November 20 at 11 E. Main Street.
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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.