Hartford, Ky. (September 24, 2019) – The Ohio County Economic Development Alliance is partnering with Digital Works to present the people of Ohio County with technology training and job placement assistance for online teleworking jobs.
“Forty percent more U.S. employers offer flexible workplace options than they did just five years ago*,” said Chris Pedersen, VP of Planning and Development, Connected Nation (CN). “The work-at-home population has grown an incredible 159 percent since 2005, more than 11 times faster than the rest of the workforce. The Ohio County Economic Development Alliance is taking a positive step toward helping local residents take part in the flourishing job market of telework and work-at-home opportunities.”
Digital Works was developed by CN in 2013 to meet a growing need for employees who are trained in digital skills and working remotely. CN works with 70-plus companies across the country that need individuals to fill remote and in-demand jobs which provides new employment opportunities and a larger tax base for the local community.
“OCEDA has provided training opportunities in the past, in hopes of creating remote work opportunities for the citizens of Ohio County,” said Jodi Ashby, Interim Executive Director, OCEDA. “The partnership with Connected Nation will help us to actually place graduates of the program into remote work positions in the entry level stages, which would be difficult otherwise. The Hub, located at 300 Peach Alley in Hartford, is now a Connected Nation partner facility!”
Digital Works training and mentoring is designed for placement in typically a four- to six-week cycle with a conservative 80% placement rate.
Our Digital Works’ facilitators mentor graduates for work-at-home careers and promote a co-working peer network,” said Tammy Spring, Operations Manager, Digital Works. “Job retention and advancement depend on the skill and will of each participant.”
Entry level pay varies from position-to-position. But advancement can happen if a Digital Works’ graduate applies himself or herself to the program and to the work.
“Basically, through teleworking, a person can increase his or her income through their knowledge and skill,” said Dr. Roberto Gallardo, a Purdue professor who co-authored the study 21st Century Economic Development: Telework and Its Impact on Local Income. “If you want to be a high earner, you’ve got to start somewhere such as customer service. But ultimately, you can stay in your small town and work for places like Google.”
Visit http://www.ohiocountyky.com/workforce/digital-works/ to take part in the Digital Works’ program in Ohio County.
*Data cited in the above can be found under Telecommuting Trend Data (updated August 16, 2019) on GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jessica Denson, Communications Director
jdenson@connectednation.org
(502) 341-2024
Chris Pedersen, VP, Development and Planning
cpedersen@connectednation.org
(202) 255-6098
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Digital Works, a program of Connected Nation, connects people to leading-edge customer support and IT jobs for global corporations by providing training, mentorship, and job placement assistance, as well as the opportunity for advanced careers.
Connected Nation’s mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand the access, adoption, and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies to all people. We believe that everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. For more information, please visit: www.connectednation.org or follow Connected Nation on Facebook and Twitter.