by Barbara Lach

The digital economy has transformed the way we work and communicate, making digital skills one of the most fundamental prerequisites for employment, but many residents miss on job opportunities because they lack the necessary skills, said Tom Esselman, CEO of Connecting for Good, at the Third Annual State of Digital Inclusion event Dec. 5 hosted by Connecting for Good in Kansas City. Ninety percent of professionals must have at least basic digital skills training to perform their jobs.

Esselman said in partnership with community organizations and individual donors, Connecting for Good has provided digital skills training to almost 10,000 residents in 2018.

The Kansas City non-profit is a regional leader in bridging digital divides and one of only few organizations nationwide offering all five components of digital inclusion: Internet access, affordable computers, computer skills training, educational online content and technical support.