Leveraging the Digital Equity Act to Advance Digital Skills

Nearly one-third of workers in the United States lack digital skills, and more than 38% of those workers are required to use moderate or advanced computer skills on the job. This skills gap creates talent and growth issues for businesses of all sizes -- from large companies looking to grow and invest in the United States, to small and mid-size companies that employ the greatest share of workers with low or no digital skills. To address this gap and expand access to economic opportunity, the Digital Equity Act (DEA), a provision of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will deploy $2.75 billion in grants to states. Over five years, states will apply these resources to advance foundational digital literacy and industry-specific digital skills, promote digital equity, and help workers and businesses adapt to the rapidly changing digital economy. As state policymakers prepare plans to bridge the digital divide, employers can help them better understand the digital skills gap and collaborate on solutions to address those disparities -- all while promoting digital equity and high-quality jobs. Employer input will be critical to ensure that communities can fully capitalize on these monumental investments to build a digitally resilient and high-quality workforce. This guide offers three key strategies and guiding questions for employers to contribute to DEA planning and implementation, as well as strategies for state policymakers to support and collaborate with employers in exploring these key questions. [This guide was co-published by UpSkill America, an initiative of the Aspen Institute.]