Connect Ohio’s innovative ‘Digital Works’ placing area residents into technology-based jobs
PORTSMOUTH – Connect Ohio’s Digital Works location in Portsmouth has already placed four local residents into jobs with many more expected in the coming months. Digital Works opened in late October at 433 Third Street in partnership with Workforce Connections of Scioto County and is a technology skills training program providing a link between twenty-first century workforce opportunities and community revitalization. The program provides mentoring and training to workers seeking employment with opportunities for advancement into more technical jobs.
“I know Digital Works was a lifesaver for me, the training is thorough and actually teaches you skills,” said Roberta Molinero, employed through Digital Works Portsmouth. “The money is pretty good, I’m making more than what I thought I would be able to make. The hours are there, its just all what you put into it.” (Read Molinero’s full story on our blog)
Digital Works hired local resident Pearlier Palmer in December to serve as the site’s full-time facilitator. Palmer was formerly unemployed and originally came to the Digital Works training program as a participant. Palmer excelled during this process and was hired as the full-time facilitator to train and mentor new Digital Works candidates through the job placement process.
“Roberta has the comfort of working from her home and is proud to report after being employed through Digital Works the paycheck for her first week of work is enough to start supporting her family again,” said Palmer. “She continues to set goals and is very much excited at the potential and opportunity that she is now seeing in her future due to joining the Digital Works program.”
The Digital Works program is built around the idea of career advancement. It is expected that many participants will want to advance beyond the first entry-level position they receive through Digital Works. Additional training to enter specialized telecommuting fields such as IT, code writing, and technical writing are also available.
Nine Digital Works locations have opened across Ohio with additional sites in the process of opening. Currently more than 55 positions have been offered statewide to participants of the Digital Works training program since launching in the second half of 2013.
To join the Digital Works training program and start your new career:
Digital works is currently taking applicants for the program, all interested participants can register by calling the Digital Works location at (740) 351-1953 or by completing the online application through: www.digitalworksjobs.org.
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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, visithttp://www.connectohio.org. Follow Connect Ohio on Facebook and Twitter.