The topic of bridging the digital divide has been one that has garnered a lot of attention over the past few years, and as technology continues to expand at a rapid rate, the need to reduce this separation becomes even greater. Playing their part in the quest, Comcast NBCUniversal recently announced a five-year partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). During this time, the organization will contribute tens of millions in cash and in-kind to the BGCA, but of all that the partnership will facilitate, arguably the biggest talking point of the agreement is the initiative called My.Future.
A Great ‘Future’ Ahead
It can hardly be denied that great advancements are being made through technology, and being ‘in the know’ is one of the great tools anyone can have. The project My.Future – which was launched on September 17 – is designed to encourage exploring, building and communicating via the digital space through over 40 activities that BCGA members can be engaged in. Ultimately, it focuses on sparking interests in technology among members, and by extension equip them with the requisite knowledge of the digital world so they can go out and make a difference.
In addition to facilitating basic digital literacy such as how to surf the Internet, and how to communicate digitally, the program will also expose the youth members to more advanced aspects of the tech industry such as coding, game design and even robotics. My.Future will also encourage the safe use of the Internet, as members will be able to learn how to identify tools used my cybercriminals, such as phishing. The potential results of such a venture can be great, as the 4000-plus clubs that exist serve close to 4 million youth.
Speaking on the partnership, Jim Clark, President and CEO of BGCA stated, “Through our partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, My.Future will give Club members the technology skills needed to pursue promising careers and thrive in today’s digital world.” He also expressed, “Today’s young people are digital natives, born into a world where technology is ever-present and constantly changing. In order to ensure great futures for all our youth, it is our job to keep up to date with technology and make sure it reaches the communities that need it most”. Comcast Corporation executive, vice president David L. Cohen also voiced his approval of the move, “We are proud to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to teach youth about the endless possibilities that technology offers, while helping to bridge the digital divide”.
As an extension of the partnership, four Boys & Girls Clubs were upgraded to ensure that those who sought to capitalize would not be at a disadvantage. The renovation of the facilities included computers, tablets, music studio tools and video-editing software.
Maintaining their Commitment
While this may be the largest partnership between Comcast and BGCA, I should be noted that it is not the first time that the two have come together to bring about greater accessibility to technology. In 2012, with a $50-million tech commitment already in place, Comcast contributed $200,000 to the Club Tech program. Similar to this move, the objective is to prepare the youth to take full advantage of the ever-developing digital age.
As far as their own contributions go, offerings such as Internet Essentials – a service which allows qualifying low-income homes access to the Internet at a manageable cost – are evidence that Comcast is determined to play a major role in whatever way they can.
Wide Spread Present and Future Impact
Whether through education, employment or being among the contributors of innovation, there is a lot for BGCA members to gain from the recently announced deal. Though it may come easy to some, not everyone has the conveniences that allow them to freely access the Internet and efficiently utilize the vast information that is stored on the network. Having such a structure that is designed to facilitate this while exposing youth to advanced technologies is more than welcomed.
By completing projects associated with the My.Future initiative, BGCA members will be able to earn certified digital badges that can subsequently be used to demonstrate ones technical competency, for instance on a resume. Having said that, it has been reported that over 8 million job posts will exist in 2018, specifically targeted towards those with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills. This can go a far way in laying the foundation for youth to capitalize on that demand.
Through partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and similar organizations, Comcast NBCUniversal is able to contribute to continued growth of the technology industry while further bridging the digital divide. Though it won’t change the situation in an instant, the success that this venture can bear in the future deserves to be acknowledged.
Comcast NBCUniversal Paving the Technological Future
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