Supporting Local Budding Entrepreneurs Through Digital Pathways to Careers Initiative
4.25.2022
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LISC StoriesFinancial Stability
LISC LA has partnered with Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP) to implement their Digital Pathways to Careers program. This program builds and supports career pathways through digital navigation and upskilling opportunities. CCNP is one of LISC's Financial Opportunity Centers (FOC), and through the initiative, the FOCs expand upon their three main service offerings, financial coaching, employment counseling, and income supports counseling, to also offer expansive digital navigation and literacy services, digital skills training, career pathways programs, and access to devices and broadband.
CCNP is offering a host of digital navigation, literacy and upskilling services through a cohort-based model this spring. In CCNP’s first cohort, a 61-year-old woman received the FOC’s three main service offerings and digital navigation support. At registration, the FOC coaches discovered that this candidate's main goals were to learn English and how to use the computer. She was proficient at pastry making and specialized in gelatin painting and printing. She purchased a pastry printer but experienced a barrier to starting her own business without a computer or the ability to operate one. In 2021, when the opportunity arose for her to participate in the Digital Pathways to Careers Initiative, she immediately expressed interest. However, because she was receiving medical treatment for a damaged nerve in her arms and hands, she became fearful that she would not be able to keep up with the class since her arms and hands hurt whenever she moved them for long periods.
Despite these obstacles, she successfully enrolled in the Digital Pathways to Careers Initiative, and after 4 sessions, she learned how to send an email with an attachment. She also started to see significant improvements in her typing skills. "I was excited because knowing that someone would be helping me gave me more confidence to keep going. The class has helped my self-esteem. Sometimes, my arms feel like they can't keep working. It is important and different for me because I have a dream and will achieve it if God wills. With this, my life will change for the better."
Her focus and determination led her children to gift her a laptop in February. "I thank you because this opportunity has come at the best time. My family says they see me excited and motivated," she expressed.
During the 9-week course, participants took a pre- and post-Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment. The data collected showed that 90% of participants' post-assessments were increased by 0.5%- 20% after completing the courses on LinkedIn. However, one participant scored 7.8% on her Excel pre-assessment and 42.5% on the post-assessment. This participant did not know how to use Excel nor how to open programs on her desktop. However, by the end of the program, she could use more tools in Excel and create her own personal budget.
Additionally, two other participants had never used a computer before the course. After attending 9 Microsoft Digital Literacy training classes, they could comfortably send emails with attachments. They also understood the basics of a computer. By the end of the sessions, 3 out of 5 participants could use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to create digital content. Participants were also able to develop their resumes using Microsoft Word, a personal budget in Excel, and a PowerPoint presentation on food recipes. When participants complete the Microsoft Skills for Employability offerings, they are eligible to receive a free LinkedIn certificate of completion.
CCNP is a non-profit organization advancing systemic change to benefit low-income communities . They provide free services throughout Los Angeles via a collaborative model to ensure equal access to essential services, including housing, food, health, transportation, and education. CCNP assists families in building financial security through its FOC by providing professional and career development, financial education, free tax preparation, and income supports services.
