FCC chairman announces Connect 2 Compete non-profit for broadband promotion
Today, October 12th, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced the formation of a non-profit group called Connect 2 Compete. This group will help educate people in disadvantaged areas in the usage of computers and the internet.
A group of companies, including Best Buy and Microsoft will start training people in disadvantaged neighborhoods to be more computer savvy. It is hoped that the training combined with programs like Comcast is offering (broadband for $9.95 a month to needy families) will result in a greater broadband adoption rate.
Chairman Julius Genachowski said in part of his announcement“Right now, 18 million Americans live in areas with no broadband infrastructure. Our plan to reform the Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation system would bring broadband to millions of unserved consumers, helping them find jobs, save money, access educational opportunity and better health care.”
In practice, the 20,000 of the Geek Squad (Best Buy’s computer repair group) will work with the 4-H Club, the BoysClub, Girls Club and others to train people in using computers to search for and apply for jobs on line. Most major companies only accept job applications from the web, even for minimum wage positions.
Microsoft is going to open up free classes in its stores and instruct people how to use the Microsoft Office suite. This will enable people to be able to use this popular program which most companies have adopted, and that is definitely an asset in being able to land a job.
The training will start with national pilot programs and are expected to start this coming spring. For more information on Connect 2 Compete, go to their web site.
