Investing in Digital Literacy as the Catalyst for Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth

New data reported by the Washington Workforce Board suggests that in Washington State, an astounding 91% of jobs now require digital skills. This necessity spans across diverse industries—99% of positions in information technology, 95% in healthcare, 90% in arts and entertainment, and 86% in agriculture demand proficiency with technology. These figures underscore a simple truth: to thrive in any sector, digital competence is no longer optional but essential. Recognizing this, NCW Tech Alliance is working to empower local communities through community skilling programs, which aim to boost economic growth by enhancing digital competencies among residents.

The regional need for these programs is significant. One in four residents across the region lacks access to high-speed internet, devices, or the digital skills required to participate fully in the modern economy. This digital divide is not just a technological gap but a barrier that keeps individuals from securing quality employment, advancing in their careers, or even accessing essential services.

The NCW Tech Alliance Community Skills Digital Literacy program was first launched in 2023. This initiative is designed to provide participants with foundational digital skills within a supportive community setting. In-person classes are typically held in local schools, bringing together cohorts of 20 to 30 neighbors. Sessions are facilitated in Spanish or English, as deemed appropriate by the community, which ensures that language does not become a barrier to learning and participation.

At the outset of the program, each participant receives a new or refurbished laptop computer. Over the course of four weeks, meeting twice a week, they delve into essential topics such as caring for their computers, understanding the basics of cybersecurity, navigating web browsers and email, and accessing portals for education, healthcare, and social services. Ownership of the devices allows learners to personalize their experience—saving bookmarks and customizing settings—which reinforces their new skills and enhances confidence.

The impact of this program is promising. Last year, 193 students across the region completed the program. The most recent cohort reflections offer insights about the participants' intentions for their new technology skills to enhance employment and entrepreneurship: 75% indicated that the skills they were learning would help them maintain their current jobs; 61% hoped to expand their businesses; 63% believed that their new technology skills could enable them to hire new employees; and 57% indicated that their new skills will be used to launch new business ventures. These responses highlight a distinct correlation between digital literacy and economic development. Participants are not only enhancing their own prospects but are also poised to contribute to job creation and business growth within the region.

This means that the Community Skills Digital Literacy program is more than an educational course—it's a catalyst for economic opportunity. By equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge they need, the program empowers them to participate fully in the digital economy. This empowerment has a ripple effect. As more residents gain digital skills, businesses benefit from a more skilled workforce, entrepreneurship flourishes, and the overall economic resilience of North Central Washington is strengthened.

NCW Tech Alliance is also extending this local impact through the Community Skills Initiative hub (www.communityskilling.org) in partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning. The curated hub of free, online, bilingual resources allows any individual to begin skilling on their own through on-demand courses and training programs that have been vetted by industry experts to ensure that they align with current and in-demand digital skills. The hub is free to access and users can choose training that matches their current experience level—from foundational knowledge to role-specific technical skills—enabling them to enhance their digital competencies, improve job prospects, and ensure they have the skills needed to stay competitive in the current labor market. In 2024, local residents earned more than 2,600 professional certificates through the portal. 

The significance of these community-based skilling initiatives cannot be overstated. By addressing these foundational skills gaps, NCW Tech Alliance is playing a pivotal role in workforce development alongside the local network of traditional workforce partners. These investments in digital skilling also have implications for economic growth. As businesses in the region adopt more technology, the demand for digitally skilled employees increases. This creates a positive feedback loop—enhanced digital literacy leads to better job opportunities, which in turn encourages more individuals to acquire digital skills. The overall effect is a more competitive and dynamic economy that can attract investment and support sustainable growth over the long term for the region.