THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
GREATER SACRAMENTO URBAN LEAGUE
Partnering to Provide Life-Changing Opportunities
Digital Upskill Sacramento represents tremendous success in workforce development and closing the Digital Divide . A collaboration between the Greater Sacramento Urban League and the Greater Sacramento Economic Council with CARES Act funding through the City of Sacramento , this program truly changed lives . By providing IT skills training to individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic , it enabled participants to earn either a Data Analytics Immersive or IT Professional Pathways certification and attain not only new jobs , but entirely new careers .
The City allocated $ 10 million of CARES Act funds for workforce development in 2020 . On a strict schedule due to funding stipulations , recruiting for Digital Upskill Sacramento ’ s 40 slots began in September , with classes from October through December 2020 . The program was offered free of charge and also provided a $ 400-per-week stipend to enable participants to focus on the coursework , which was equivalent to a full-time job at eight hours per day , five days a week .
“ This was a rigorous , accelerated program , all conducted via virtual courses , and this very diverse group of participants had the will and tenacity to see it through ,” says GSUL President Cassandra Jennings . “ To qualify for a slot , they had to have lost all or most of their income because of the pandemic . This program was a critical turning point for them and we provided a support network to help them succeed .”
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