Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the IT Service Corps Act, bipartisan legislation to support local digital equity initiatives while ensuring more people can gain experience to access jobs in the information technology (IT) sector. The IT Service Corps Act will establish IT Service Corps Volunteers focused on digital equity projects within AmeriCorps’ existing volunteer programming opportunities—ensuring that folks can have equitable opportunity to access valuable IT experience, while also supporting digital equity and literacy projects that bridge digital divides in underserved communities.
“We need to ensure that today’s workers are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow, including jobs in the IT sector. At the same time, countless communities in our region are still navigating digital equity challenges. In recent years, we’ve seen students struggling to get online for a class. We’ve seen seniors grappling with getting connected so they could have a telehealth visit,” said Rep. Kilmer. “The IT Service Corps Act is aimed at getting folks online as well as helping people gain digital literacy skills to access online resources and other needs. It will strengthen the capacity of local digital equity initiatives to support communities while ensuring that volunteers are gaining valuable experience relevant to the IT industry. This bill is a win for workers, a win for employers, and a win for local communities.”
“I am pleased to join Rep. Kilmer during AmeriCorps Week to introduce the IT Service Corps Act. Currently, professionals looking to enter the IT industry often face significant barriers to entry, including the cost of education and gaps in digital literacy, and the ability to gain hands-on experience in the field. Our bipartisan legislation will allow AmeriCorps to establish an IT Service Corps volunteer program, which seeks to assist volunteers with developing professional and technical skills in information technology and promote digital equity and literacy in underserved communities,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
