Vol 2 | Issue 9| September 2017

Building a Skilled Workforce for Today and Tomorrow

One in four new jobs created in the next decade will be in technology and healthcare, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics These industries will not be alone in needing workers proficient in math, computer and digital skills. In fact, today’s economy already requires workers in every sector to be digitally literate:

• Most jobs now require computer proficiency to complete basic job functions, such as submitting time sheets, scheduling meetings and communicating with customers. To succeed in today’s professions, workers must have the digital literacy skills to match job requirements.

• Almost all businesses now post their job openings online. Whether starting a new career or advancing in a current one, all job seekers need digital skills to search for new opportunities and submit their applications electronically.

• Workers need access to training programs that support lifelong skills development and future market needs. Job-seekers, students and workers can take courses online to learn new skills or obtain certifications to ensure they remain well-qualified candidates.

• Businesses looking to move or expand consider whether the local workforce has the necessary skills or a means to learn them quickly. Communities with digital skills training programs will attract and retain new businesses, providing residents with more employment opportunities and stabilizing community finances.

To learn more about the importance of building your community’s digital skills, attend this month’s Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar: Digital Training and Workforce Development. Click here to register. Contact BroadbandUSA at broadbandusa@ntia.doc.gov or 202-482-2048 for more information on how broadband can help strengthen all aspects of your community’s future.

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

• President Trump signed an Executive Order to speed infrastructure construction

• The GSA awarded a total of 10 telecommunications companies and systems integrators spots on its Enterprise Infrastructure Services Contract

• The OMB authorized the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) for two additional years with proposed questionnaire changes about “digital access”

State News

• Wisconsin Governor Walker awarded $1.5 million in Broadband Expansion Grants to 13 recipients

• Oregon Connections will host its Telecommunications Conference October 19-20th

• Nevada’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology in the Office of the Governor will host a broadband summit November 6th

Funding Opportunities

• The Seattle City Council increased its financial commitment to the city’s Technology Matching Fund

• Google announced a $50 million initiative to help people prepare for the changing nature of work

• Mozilla and NSF are partnering to give away $2 million in prizes for innovative wireless technology

• The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is accepting applications for the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program for FY17

Public Safety/FirstNet

• 16 states/territories have opted in to the FirstNet network to date

• Announcements for states/territories who have opted to participate in FirstNet network in August: Hawaii, Nevada, Kansas, Arizona, Montana, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands

• FirstNet ‘Early Builders’ Face Big Test During Texas Flood Disaster

Stakeholder Resources

• The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) explains why broadband infrastructure alone does not bridge the digital divide

• The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) launched a new web page on infrastructure and historic preservation requirements

Other News

• A new study shows the long-term economic benefits of broadband for rural communities

• FiveThirtyEight describes what connectivity looks like in the county with the lowest broadband usage

New Broadband Resource

• BroadbandUSA released Implementing a Broadband Network Vision: A Toolkit for Local and Tribal Governments to help guide local and tribal governments through the stages of broadband network implementation. The toolkit is the second in a set of publications designed to help communities develop and sustain successful broadband initiatives.

• BroadbandUSA Connectivity Assessment Tool in Beta: In partnership with GSA’s Technology Transformation Services, BroadbandUSA recently introduced an online web application that combines the planning framework with national data to create an interactive planning tool. The BroadbandUSA Connectivity Assessment Tool (BCAT) is currently in beta test in over a dozen communities across the country where teams are utilizing the tool to articulate local priorities, explore partnerships, sharpen policies, set goals and engage community stakeholders. The beta test will run through October 2017.

• Thanks to input from hundreds of stakeholders over the last 18 months, BroadbandUSA developed a comprehensive broadband planning framework composed of 12 functional modules across the three sectors of Access, Adoption and Community. The framework covers broadband availability and infrastructure, digital inclusion and skills and community context and policies.

BroadbandUSA Spotlight

Does your community need more robust broadband? Join BroadbandUSA for a free workshop in Charleston, West Virginia on September 19th. Our technical assistance team will be leading a half-day session that will focus on best practices and lessons learned in planning and funding.

• Who: BroadbandUSA’s Technical Assistance team will lead the workshop.

• When: Tuesday, September 19, 2017; from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT

• Where: Jackson Kelly PLLC 500 Lee Street East, Meeting Rooms A & B Charleston, WV 25301

Webinars

BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series
Topic: Digital Training and Workforce Development Date: Wednesday, September 20 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT
Overview: Communities of all sizes are recognizing the importance of developing a digitally trained workforce. Join BroadbandUSA’s Practical Broadband Conversations webinar to hear how local leaders are helping their workforce prepare for emerging industries and businesses.

Please pre-register for the webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Events

NTIA Events

September 19, 2017
BroadbandUSA Technical Assistance Planning and Funding Workshop
BroadbandUSA will host a half-day workshop in Charleston, WV.

September 20, 2017
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations: Digital Training and Workforce Development
BroadbandUSA will host the next webinar in its Practical Conversations series.

Events of Interest

September 11-14, 2017
NATOA Annual Conference
BroadbandUSA will participate in a panel and roundtable at NATOA’s annual conference in Seattle, Washington. Click here to learn more.

September 13, 2017
NC K-12 Homework Gap Convening
BroadbandUSA will participate in this event in Raleigh, NC.

September 14, 2017
HBCU Meeting
NTIA, Commerce's Office of Civil Rights and North Carolina Central University (NCCU) are hosting CIOs and IT Directors Technology at North Carolina’s eleven Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to discuss broadband availability/adoption on campus and in the surrounding communities.

September 17-20, 2017
WTA — Advocates for Rural Broadband Fall Meeting
BroadbandUSA will be represented at this event in Coeur D’Alene, ID. Click here to learn more.

Policy Corner

The FCC is exploring ways to improve the value of the data it collects on broadband service across the country. The agency is seeking comment on how to revise the current Form 477 to increase its usefulness to the Commission, Congress, the industry and the public. Click here to learn more.

Contact Us

If you are interested in receiving technical assistance, email broadbandusa@ntia.doc.gov or call 202-482-2048. For more information, visit our website at www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandusa.

Follow us online: www.facebook.com/ntiagov