News Summary
Six colleges across the United States have received $25,000 each from Infosys Foundation USA to enhance their digital upskilling initiatives. This funding, announced at the NACCE annual conference, is part of the Digital Workforce Innovation Program aimed at equipping students and adult learners with essential technology skills. With a total of $250,000 awarded, these institutions will partake in an 18-month program that includes mentorship, coaching, and access to vital resources to foster digital literacy and career pathways in a tech-centric job market.
Coronado, California — Six colleges across the United States have been awarded $25,000 each to enhance their upskilling initiatives through a partnership with Infosys Foundation USA. The announcement came during the annual conference of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE). This funding is a key component of the national Digital Workforce Innovation Program, which aims to prepare students and adult learners for a technology-driven economy.
The total grant amount of $250,000 awarded to NACCE will support the selected institutions in their endeavors to develop scalable industry-partnered programs aimed at enhancing digital skills among students. The universities receiving this award are:
- Coppin State University (MD)
- Foothill College (CA)
- Gateway Community College (AZ)
- Houston City College (TX)
- Ivy Tech Community College (IN)
- North Iowa Area Community College (IA)
Each of these colleges will participate in an 18-month cohort program, which will not only provide funding but also grant access to comprehensive resources like technical assistance, 1:1 coaching, mentorship, and student-driven data analysis. Monthly focus group meetings and peer learning opportunities will use the Infosys Springboard digital learning platform to enhance learning experiences.
The primary goal of this initiative is to equip learners with essential digital skills, recognized credentials, a maker mindset, and viable career pathways suited for a tech-centric job market. The program is designed to be inclusive, connecting students with fresh opportunities in technology.
Strategic partnerships are integral to the initiative, with Maker USA contributing technical assistance and linking institutions to a network of over 40 organizations focused on promoting inclusive maker education and maintaining makerspaces. Rebecca Corbin, President and CEO of NACCE, emphasized that the selection criteria for the grant focused on addressing regional community and workforce needs as well as collaboration among stakeholders.
Additional criteria for grant selection included the institutions’ readiness for college, their capacity to enhance the program, sustainability plans beyond the initial funding, commitment to co-designing with stakeholders, and the ability to track clear metrics aligned with program goals.
Kate Maloney, Executive Director of Infosys Foundation USA, underscored the importance of preparing talent for emerging technology jobs, aligning training with industry demands. A critical aspect of the program is SkillPointe, a platform dedicated to helping individuals identify available training and certification for skilled trades across the nation.
The grantees will have access to an extensive repository of 11,000 courses, focusing on burgeoning fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Through these educational resources, participants will be better positioned to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving job market.
Ultimately, the Infosys Foundation USA aims to broaden accessibility to computer science and maker education for K-12 students and educators throughout the United States, reinforcing the growing importance of technological education in today’s workforce. NACCE persistently champions entrepreneurship in community colleges, striving to support local job creation and boost regional economies.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Public Opinion Online
- Wikipedia: Digital workforce
- Commercial Appeal
- Google Search: Digital Workforce Innovation Challenge
- The Review
- Google Scholar: Digital skills education
- Wikipedia: Community colleges in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
