Community College of Philadelphia has been named part of a U.S. Department of Commerce pilot program to improve access to technology and economic opportunities for underserved communities in Philadelphia. The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program will provide increased access to broadband services, workforce development training, and technological resources to residents in both North and West Philadelphia.
The grant’s work to improve digital equity will occur in three phases. The first involves improving broadband infrastructure at multiple sites, including at the College’s Career and Advanced Technology Center, and deploying wireless 5G infrastructure to targeted communities in West Philadelphia. The second will expand access to needed technological devices by providing 300 laptops, 300 broadband modems, and other critical technology to Philadelphia residents. The last phase will provide for robust community engagement and education to enhance digital literacy and workforce development. During this phase, the College will provide workforce development training to 150 students through AWS Academy curricula, focusing on cloud computing, cybersecurity, and other in-demand technology skills. Additionally, grant partners will facilitate smart energy and smart technology workforce development workshops to an additional 40 participants located in the pilot demographic areas.
The program will be made possible through partnerships with the Digital Equity Alliance, which consists of the College; PCs for People, a nonprofit that provides technology access and support to low-income individuals and families; BlocPower, a climate technology company that provides clean energy and technology solutions; and Wilco Inc., a Philadelphia-based technology company that provides electronic security services and smart access with the aim of converging real estate, technology innovation, and community impact.
“There is a wide divide in Philadelphia that prevents minority communities from accessing technology resources,” said Dr. Donald “Guy” Generals, College president. “The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program is a major step in our efforts to bridge that digital divide and create pathways to success for students at Community College of Philadelphia and the residents of this city.”
“After leading the City’s “Connecting Philadelphia, 2021 Household Internet Assessment Survey,” to now collaborating with Community College of Philadelphia to design and deploy a wireless mesh network fueled to provide affordable internet services while enabling smart tech workforce opportunities for West Philadelphians, is not only historic, but a perfect thrust forward for digital equity,” said Brigitte Daniel Corbin, chief executive officer of Wilco. “We are honored to join the newly created Digital Equity Alliance of Philadelphia and thrilled for the impact this broadband grant can bring to vulnerable communities perfectly situated within prime innovation corridors of our City.” “We are thrilled to join forces with CCP and others in the Digital Equity Alliance of Philadelphia to expand digital accessibility and opportunities for their students and community members,” said Bryan Mauk, chief innovation officer of PCs for People. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to empowering individuals through affordable technology and digital skills, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. The devices for this project are provided through our model to recycle retired devices from businesses, securely wipe their data, refurbish them, and then provide them at a low cost to customers. We invite any businesses interested in recycling their used computers with us to reach out and join our mission to bridge the digital divide in Philadelphia.”
The pilot program is funded by a $2.9 million grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. It is designed to bridge the digital divide and create pathways to economic opportunity for residents in minority communities. The program is expected to have an impact on the lives of participants, helping students and Philadelphia residents improve their skills, find jobs, and stay connected to the digital world.
For information on the College’s degree and certificate programs, workforce development strategies, and community engagement initiatives, visit: www.ccp.edu and follow us on social media @CCPedu.
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