Roman GłogulskiProgram Talent for Tomorrow supports digital skills programs with a $1.5 million grant in 10 cities
US Conference of Mayors (USCM) and Comcast Corporation announced a new grant program called Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge on January 18, 2024. This joint initiative will support the launch and development of local workforce programs aimed at increasing readiness for higher education and careers, closing the digital skills gap, promoting economic mobility, and laying the foundation for wealth inheritance in underserved communities.
Access to the internet and digital skills are important in every aspect of life and vital for economic progress. The program will award grants to 10 cities to provide more people, especially those often overlooked in the digital economy, with the resources and skills necessary to participate in the labor market and access opportunities.
“Mayors are focused on improving access to digital technology and training in cities to build a stronger, more diverse, fairer, and open job market in America,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of US Conference of Mayors. “The Talent for Tomorrow Challenge, which we are launching in collaboration with Comcast, reaffirms our joint commitment to economic equity and mobility. We must ensure that no one is left behind due to lack of opportunity or access to the essential technologies driving the economy.”
“The collaboration of the public, philanthropic, corporate, and nonprofit sectors is essential to address the challenges of achieving digital equity,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. “In our increasingly digital economy, targeted development programs to fill the skills gap, promote quality employment, and achieve large-scale economic growth that enables wealth inheritance by future generations are crucial. We are proud that through this challenge, we deepen our collaboration with mayors to help cities compete and thrive in today’s economy.”
The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge program, a joint initiative of USCM and Comcast’s UP project, will support and develop digital technology training programs nationwide. Through a competitive process, a panel of independent judges selected by USCM will review applications and select the winners. The winning cities will be announced at the annual USCM meeting in June 2024.
Three (3) large cities will receive a $250,000 grant each,
Three (3) medium-sized cities will receive a $150,000 grant each,
Four (4) small cities will receive a $75,000 grant each.
More information about The Challenge grant program can be found here. This collaboration is part of the UP project, which is a part of Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people through community programs and partnerships that connect people to the internet, promote economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators.
About U.S. Conference of Mayors
The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonprofit organization of cities with populations over 30,000. There are currently over 1,400 such cities in the country, and each city is represented at the Conference by its elected representative, the mayor. Follow our work on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and Medium.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. Through our connections and platforms, content and experiences, our companies reach hundreds of millions of customers worldwide. We provide world-class broadband internet, wireless services, and television through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; we produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands like NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and we bring to life amazing theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences.
Source: U.S. Conference of Mayors
Questions and Answers about the Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge program:
1. What is Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge?
Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge is a $1.5 million grant program aimed at supporting local workforce programs focused on digital equality. This initiative aims to increase readiness for higher education and careers, reduce the digital skills gap, promote economic mobility, and lay the foundation for wealth inheritance in underserved communities.
2. Why are internet access and digital skills important?
Internet access and digital skills are essential for economic progress and participation in the labor market. In today’s world, they are crucial in every aspect of life.
3. What are the goals of the Talent for Tomorrow program?
The main goals of the Talent for Tomorrow program are:
– Improving access to digital technology and training in cities.
– Increasing readiness for higher education and careers.
– Reducing the digital skills gap.
– Promoting economic mobility.
– Creating a foundation for wealth inheritance in underserved communities.
4. Which cities will receive grants?
The program will award grants to 10 cities, with:
– Three large cities receiving a $250,000 grant each.
– Three medium-sized cities receiving a $150,000 grant each.
– Four small cities receiving a $75,000 grant each.
5. How will the winning cities be selected?
Submitted applications will be reviewed by a panel of independent judges selected by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The winning cities will be announced at the annual USCM meeting in June 2024.
6. What are the links for additional information about the Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge program?
More information can be found on The Challenge program website. Link to the program
About the U.S. Conference of Mayors:
The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonprofit organization of cities with populations over 30,000. The organization represents over 1,400 cities in the country, and each city is represented by its mayor. More information can be found on the Conference’s website. Link to USCM
About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company. The company provides broadband internet, wireless services, television, entertainment, sports, and news through various brands such as NBC, Telemundo, Universal, and Sky. More information can be found on Comcast Corporation’s website. Link to Comcast Corporation.
