As technology becomes increasingly essential to everyday life and the workforce, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is working to ensure residents aren’t left behind.
That effort received a boost Tuesday when AT&T renewed its contract for the Urban League’s Connected Learning Center for three years. The center provides residents with digital literacy training and access to technology to help close the digital skills gap.
The renewal was announced at the Urban League’s headquarters, where the celebration included digital literacy training and the distribution of 150 refurbished laptops to local families through AT&T’s partnership with Compudopt.
Michelle Hawkins, a trainee at the center, described herself as a beginner when she started the classes. Now, she considers herself an intermediate computer user.
“I was intimidated by tech before I first started taking the class,” Hawkins said. “I have a lot more confidence, too, from being in this class among some peers that are willing to learn and not ashamed of, you know, where we are technically.”
Before receiving her laptop, Hawkins said she primarily accessed computers at the library and through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
A 2023 analysis by the National Skills Coalition and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that 92% of online job advertisements examined from 2021 required at least one digital skill. The study also found that jobs requiring digital skills generally paid more than those requiring none.
Madelyn Johnson, director of the AT&T Connected Learning Center at the Urban League’s headquarters, said participants learn skills ranging from navigating Google and search engines to understanding web browsers and accessing online resources.
Johnson said the center has served more than 5,000 people during her nearly three-year tenure through digital literacy classes, résumé assistance, job fairs and other digital resources.
The center also offers instruction in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and has hosted apprenticeship programs and workforce development workshops.
Ernesto Moran, national program director of Compudopt and an instructor for Tuesday’s training, said the session covered online safety and practical skills such as online banking, using Google Maps and shopping safely online.
The lessons focused on helping participants use their phones and computers to handle everyday tasks more easily, Moran said.
Andrea Withers, another trainee, previously owned a laptop, but said it stopped working.
“With this computer, being able to have one like this and take it home,” Withers said, “I’m just excited.”
She said the computer skills she has learned can be used for “events, jobs” and business, as well as staying connected with friends and family.