- Most jobs these days require some type of digital skills and then once the pandemic hit, we realized we really have to dive deeper into that work because this concept of working from home really was not available to people that don't have computers or internet access in their home, or skills to even apply for jobs.

(bright music) The work that we do is training adults, who are best known for that work, but we also work with kids and we help people get tech skills and digital skills to prepare for the jobs of the future.

We started our partnership with the New York State Office for New Americans, which is teaching people how to use the computer through the computer, which was some of the most beautiful work we've ever done.

- Everything has to be done online.

Every application for either a job, for either healthcare, for social services supports require you to be online and able to navigate a website.

So it's really important for us, for supporting even a basic level of connectivity.

In the first two years, we've seen almost 80 different participants in the Albany region.

On average, we see the increase around $20,000 in terms of a salary improvement for individuals.

And we have heard that they have been able to take these skills and be able to connect with employment opportunities that best fit their capabilities and lifestyle.

Some people are working part-time remote, some people are able to advance in their current positions because of the digital skills that they've acquired.

- [Annmarie] We also have people that are more advanced, new Americans that may have had, you know, technical jobs in their home countries go right into our software sector training.

- When you are in web development and you don't know JavaScript, you can walk but you cannot run.

If you know JavaScript, you can do almost anything in web.

In this country, the competition is really high, so you need to be at your best all the time.

You learn new stuff every day and you need to keep up with the new technology.

- So that's the work we're trying to do, is help people understand they can do this work, help build their confidence.

All people can do this work with training.

So, that's what our organization is here to do.

- [Narrator] With support from WDI, strengthening New York's workforce.