~ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and the Office of Workforce Development have announced a significant investment of $1 million to expand the city's Digital Literacy (DigLit) Initiative. This initiative aims to bridge the digital literacy gap in workforce development programs. The announcement was made on March 20, 2025.

To mark this occasion, the Worker Empowerment Learning Lab hosted a panel discussion on digital skills in workforce development. The event was held in partnership with World Education and the YMCA of Greater Boston. Priyanka Sharma, Vice President of World Education, moderated the panel which included industry experts such as Marc Creegan from Life Sciences, Brett Jacobson from Eversource, Dr. Marvin Loiseau from FC Tech, Robert Lowell from YMCA of Greater Boston, Macy Reed from Boston Medical Center, Korynn Stoyanoff from Just-A-Start, and Zachary Thompson from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The panelists shed light on the growing demand for digital skills across various industries including traditionally "blue-collar" occupations. They emphasized that even jobs that were not traditionally considered "digital" now require some level of digital skills. For instance, technicians in facilities management now use building management software to monitor systems and identify potential issues.

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The integration of digital skills into various job roles has also highlighted the importance of digital resilience among employees. The panelists stressed the need for workers to develop a comfort level with technology in order to adapt to new systems as they move between roles or companies.

In addition to this, both employers and trainers emphasized the importance of aligning core skills and soft skills between training providers and employers. Macy Reed from Boston Medical Center and Rob Lowell from YMCA shared their successful partnership experience where they addressed skill gaps by incorporating digital literacy and professional etiquette elements into their training program.

The panelists also offered recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers in workforce development to address the changing digital skills landscape. These included expanding the use of stipended "learn & earn" programs, promoting non-BA pathways in occupations, and ensuring digital equity for all community members.

The event was a platform for industry experts to come together and discuss the current state of digital skills requirements and training. It highlighted the need for collaboration between employers and training providers to bridge the digital literacy gap in the workforce.

The entire event, including the panel discussion, can be viewed below. As Boston continues to invest in its Digital Literacy Initiative, it is clear that addressing digital skills gaps is crucial for the city's workforce development and economic growth.

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