Capital One Launches $500,000 Grant Program to Build Workforce Technology Skills
New program will support technology education programs that will help people build the job skills needed to succeed in the digital age
January 22, 2015 /3BL Media/ - Capital One today announced the launch of the dFUND, a new grant program that will support innovative programs developed by leading nonprofit organizations that help individuals obtain the technology skills and capabilities needed in an ever-changing digital economy to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow. With a $500,000 investment, Capital One will support DC’s Per Scholas Inc., The Mentoring Center and five other organizations across the country – all of which provide technology training and education programs that prepare individuals for careers in technology.
Per Scholas Inc., a nonprofit organization offering free, high-quality technology education, job training, placement and career development opportunities to people in underserved communities, will receive a $25,000 grant to develop a training program in Washington, DC to help low-to-moderate income adults launch and navigate cyber security careers. The Mentoring Center will receive a $75,000 grant to launch the Washington, DC chapter of BlackGirlsCode, a non-profit organization whose mission is to introduce programming and technology to a new generation of coders who will become the leaders and creators of tomorrow.
“As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, so does the need for people to be proficient in its use and application in order to compete, grow and prosper in today’s economy,” said Carolyn Berkowitz, Managing Vice President of Community Affairs for Capital One and President of the Capital One Foundation. “Capital One is proud to partner with non-profit organizations, like Per Scholas and The Mentoring Center, that provide technology education and resources to help prepare America’s workforce to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow and help individuals reach their full potential.”
With the concept of Design, Dream, Disrupt, Digital, the goal of the dFUND grant program is to support organizations that prepare people for the digital workforce through technology training and development, enabling them to harness the skills they need to secure employment opportunities. The dFUND will support programs in the following areas:
- Teaching individuals how to develop apps, use new and social media, technology and communication tools to process information, create new content, and complete tasks more efficiently.
- Fostering innovative and adaptive thinking and helping individuals learn to apply these skills to problem solving and processes both individually and with a team.
The dFUND program is part of Capital One’s commitment to help individuals succeed in the digital economy by supporting the development of digital literacy skills. Out of approximately 200 million adults in the U.S. workforce, only 10 percent consider themselves very proficient with the digital tools they use daily. Furthermore, a recent study by Deloitte found that the rapid pace of technological change in the workplace is leading to a skills half-life of just 2.5 years – meaning that even the most adept employees can quickly fall behind. To help close the skills gap, Capital One created the dFUND program to help individuals understand and build upon their proficiencies with technology.
Capital One recognizes that obtaining strong digital skills is essential to ensure the readiness of our modern workforce, and believes these skills are crucial building blocks for future economic success. Since its founding, Capital One has been investing its time and resources in programs that prepare individuals for successful futures and for economic self-reliance.
About Capital One
Capital One Financial Corporation, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is a Fortune 500 company with more than 900 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Its subsidiaries, Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., offer a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. We apply the same principles of innovation, collaboration and empowerment in our commitment to our communities across the country that we do in our business. We recognize that helping to build strong and healthy communities - good places to work, good places to do business and good places to raise families - benefits us all and we are proud to support this and other community initiatives. www.capitaloneinvestingforgood.com
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