May 3, 2022 — Miami Ed Tech today announced that it has been selected as one of 20 Latino-led and serving nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive a $25,000 grant from the Hispanic Federation (HF) in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal to enhance and expand its digital workforce training activities. The award is a part of the Hispanic Federation’s and Comcast’s new Latino Digital Equity Centers initiative, which is a national effort to strengthen institutions serving the Latino community with workforce development and digital training programs.
With the funds, Miami Ed Tech will receive a first-of-its-kind training program known as the Digital Accelerator, designed for Latino-led nonprofits to strengthen their organizational capacity, programmatic offerings, and reach in the digital workforce development space. In addition, the organizations will offer a Digital Career Center that provides both online and in-person trainings to community members seeking to increase their digital skills and get connected to employment opportunities that leverage those skills.
According to the Miami Foundation, one in every five Miami-Dade residents does not have broadband Internet access at home.
“As the tech spotlight continues to shine on Miami, it’s important that we focus on leaving no one behind and ensure equitable access to the jobs that are coming to the ecosystem,” said Carlos Vazquez, CEO/Founder of Miami Ed Tech. “This grant will allow us to pilot a new initiative for the community and explore ways to increase the tech talent pool in Miami.”
“Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in today’s increasingly digital economy,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation. “Bridging the digital divide that disproportionately impacts Latinos is key to creating economic opportunity in the Latino community and a more equitable society.. We’re excited to partner with Comcast to equip Latinos with the skills they need to thrive in the workforce of tomorrow.”
Over the next decade, 50% of tasks across all industries are expected to go digital, eliminating as many as 39 million jobs—and by 2030, at least two-thirds of jobs will require some level of digital skills. Latino workers are 14% of overall workers but represent 35% of workers with no digital skills and 20% of those with limited digital skills.
“Ensuring digital access and literacy for Latinos is critical for supporting the successful growth and development of Miami’s economy,” said Marta Casas-Celaya, Director of External Affairs for Comcast in Miami. “Through our company’s Internet Essentials program, Comcast made considerable progress over the past ten years towards bridging the digital divide in South Florida. By combining resources and partnering with the Hispanic Federation on the new Latino Digital Equity Centers Initiative, we are able to extend our reach and create a bigger, more sustainable impact.”
Because Latino workers tend to work in less digital-facing fields, they are at higher risk for future under- and unemployment. With the new grant, Miami Ed Tech aims to conduct Computer Science training programs locally.
According to Miami Ed Tech, while Computer Science wages are more than twice those of non-STEM jobs, minorities and economically disadvantaged students, are underrepresented in the Computer Science workforce. This funding will support Miami EdTech in growing its industry certification training both virtually and in-person. Nationwide, the initiative will train 6,000 Latinos over the next year.
In selecting grantees for the Latino Digital Equity Centers Program, Hispanic Federation prioritized Latino-led and serving 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated track record providing workforce development to Latino communities and commitment to enhance or expand a digital skills training program.
This program builds on Comcast’s long-term commitment to advance digital equity through Internet Essentials since 2011 and more recently, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Qualified customers throughout the company’s service area are eligible to apply the ACP credit towards any tier of Internet service, including Internet Essentials and the new Internet Essentials Plus service, which includes 100 Mbps download speeds, a cable modem, and a WiFi router. Monthly bills for Internet Essentials and Internet Essentials Plus are both completely covered by the ACP credit. Additionally, Xfinity Internet customers participating in ACP now can add mobile service through Xfinity Mobile.
Comcast NBCUniversal’s partnership with the Hispanic Federation is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.