VANTAGE Aging and the Ohio Department of Aging Aim to Shrink the Digital Divide Among Older Job Seekers

Columbus, OH (November 20, 2020) – VANTAGE Aging and the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) have teamed up to bridge the digital divide in older job seekers. The partnership aims to address economic issues by growing digital access and skillsets for aging Ohioans who rely on sustainable employment.

The digital divide refers to the growing unequal access to and use of computers and internet services. It exists throughout Ohio, from the urban inner cities to rural outlying areas, and it presents more challenges than just internet availability alone.

Noticing a growing divide in digital access, the ODA and VANTAGE Aging have responded with a plan to improve individual skillsets and better prepare older adults for unsubsidized employment through increased opportunities to practice skills.

The initiative will use the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline Program and equip older Ohioans with computers and other technology devices through VANTAGE Aging’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).

SCSEP is a nationally and state-funded program for low-income adults age 55 and older who are looking to re-enter the workforce. The program provides paid training and opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications to older Ohioans in 38 counties.

“This year has impacted employment for all ages, especially for aging job seekers,” said Director of SCSEP Kate Harkin. “Older job seekers were already facing barriers to employment before the pandemic, including ageism and access to digital tools. As we lean on technology now more than ever, we need to address the digital divide among older job seekers who have so much value to add to our workforce during these uncertain times.”

More than four-in-ten adults with annual household incomes below $30,000 do not have home broadband services or a traditional computer, according to a 2019 study by the Pew Research Center. The same study found that a third of adults ages 65 and older do not use the internet.

During the COVID-19 health crisis, older Ohioans’ isolation from the digital world became more apparent than ever. Older workers were, and continue to be, negatively impacted by the digital divide, leaving them isolated, disconnected, and disadvantaged.

With the coronavirus health crisis forcing closures of these traditional internet and computer access points, many SCSEP participants were left with no access to technology outside of a smartphone.

Lack of access to the internet and computers has made it difficult to do most traditional job search activities. It has also inhibited participation in the emerging innovations that became more commonplace as pandemic closures continued from days, to weeks, to months. Virtual job fairs, remote job club meetings, Zoom interviews, creating/updating a LinkedIn profile, and/ or searching online for jobs are opportunities unknown to many SCSEP participants due to the digital divide. 

The ODA and VANTAGE Aging will provide tools, training, and support to shrink the digital divide for SCSEP participants. This includes support navigating challenging registration processes for services and providing technical support. 

“We care about Ohio’s older workers,” said VANTAGE Aging CEO Ted Watko. “When we saw what a critical problem the digital divide is for older job seekers, we knew we had to do something about it. We are excited about this opportunity to help grow the skills of our participants alongside the Ohio Department of Aging.”

Those who will participate in the digital divide project include priority populations, such as veterans, those over age 65, minorities, and those with limited-English or low-literacy skills.

Partners of the digital divide project include the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline Program, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Connect Ohio, and Innovate Ohio.

For more information, contact Amina Hall at 330-253-4597 x160.

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