CWI Labs Digital Certification Program
CWI Labs is confronting the systemic inequities related to age, gender, and race by developing solutions that address the needs of the job seekers and the skill requirements of local economies. One of the cornerstones of our current work is addressing the bias related to age and technology – that older job seeker doesn’t know and/or are unable to learn the technology of today. A recent study by the National Skills Coalition shows that across all industries 92% of jobs now require digital skills
We are directly confronting this myth with a unique program to train and certify that our job seekers are digitally literate for a remote and hybrid workplace through our Digital Certification Program (DCP). DCP is a one-of-its-kind training program with a curriculum that goes beyond technology platforms to train on the soft skills unique to a remote and hybrid workplace. DCP simultaneously combats ageism by directly refuting two myths holding older workers back from equitable economic opportunity – that they are not digitally savvy and that they do not want to learn digital skills.
A test of concept for the DCP program was conducted with unemployed and underemployed older residents of Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2021. Nearly 7 out of 10 (66%) of clients found long-term, sustained employment. The certification of completion that the program provided assisted job seekers in securing employment as administrative assistants, customer service representatives and schedulers. Fifty-five (55%) are employed by small businesses, 25% with nonprofit organizations and 20% with larger organizations.
The core components of the program are:

30 Hours
Thirty hours of live, instructor-led, remote interactive classes to help the job seekers master the skills needed in any work environment

Soft Skills
In addition to the technical side of digital skills, the program includes interactive small group scenario-based learning related to customer service and team building

Self-Guided Instruction
Job seekers work with their job coach and workforce development staff to complete 10 hours of assignments between classes that will help solidify learnings from the live instructors

Workforce Preparation Coaching
Job coaching will help our clients to identify jobs, use networks and social media as search tools, market their own skills, understand employer expectations, write resumes and cover letters, and practice mock interviews
