Lessons Learned in Workforce Innovation: How 6 States are Planning to Advance Digital Skills

This resource provides lessons learned and case studies from those grants for Governors and state policymakers as they work to bridge the digital divide. It begins by highlighting the key activities that are part of the state strategic planning process, including analyzing the state digital skills landscape through data collection, asset mapping, and stakeholder engagement. It then details how these planning activities inform the state action plans, including strategies and policies that address elements such as access and equity, partner alignment, data collection, training opportunities, digital navigation, and resource allocation.

The following activities were developed by NGA staff for WIN grantees to provide an initial structure for state plan development and can be utilized by other states in their own planning:

• Conducting an initial high-level scan of the state’s existing efforts and capacity to address digital skills.
• Adopting definitions, goals, and a shared vision.
• Mapping digital skills assets and conducting a gap analysis.
• Compiling and analyzing data on digital skills supply and demand.
• Engaging a diverse set of stakeholders in plan development.

(This report is 33 pages long.)

(This study took place from 2021-2022.)

The researchers summarized their work with several findings and recommendations as follows:

• The Hawai’i team’s state plan to advance digital skills emphasizes five key strategies: designate a Digital Workforce Hui; invest to grow existing programs; track longitudinal and skills-specific metrics; designate the Hawai’i State Public Library System as a hub for digital skills learning; and continue building the digital skills resources map.
• All North Carolinians will be empowered to participate in the digital economy fully and equitably by increasing access to and awareness of digital literacy education and skills training.
• The North Dakota team recommended the appointment of a Digital Equity Director, who will be responsible for overseeing the state’s digital equity efforts, aligning partners and policy, data collection, and program evaluation.
• The Oklahoma team developed a pilot project to connect rural Oklahomans to high-quality jobs in the digital economy.
• Each Pennsylvanian will have the ability to learn to use frequently changing devices and software platforms, and to find, access, organize, evaluate, create, and communicate information competently and confidently.
• The Rhode Island plan recommendations include encouraging the Broadband Advisory Council to integrate policy, planning, and funding for high-speed internet, device access, and skills training.

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2022
• Author(s): Yager, S.; Morang, J.; Stephens, R.
• Funding Source: National Governors Association (NGA), Center for Best Practices
• Resource Availability: Publicly available
• Posted by: Justin Venneri
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies