Bridging the Digital Divide: AARP and Googles Initiative to Upskill Older Workers

Abstract

Article 2: Interest Groups: Beliefs, Current Arguments, Current Legislation Sought- Older workers who lack digital skills risk losing income. An initiative from Google and AARP aims to help change that https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/26/google-aarp-team-up-to-train-older-workers-on-digital-skills.html The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is an interest group that offers a wide range of benefits and services to its members. Lorie Konish writes about the difficult times older workers are having in the current situation of the Covid 19 pandemic. AARP in partnership with Google, are in mutual conscience to help workers above the age of 50 to stay employed by going digital. The initiative will purposely focus on low-income workers, particularly women of color. The initiative will begin in eight states and evaluation of the results will steer it nationally. Helping older workers go digital is a good ideology in opening opportunities and staying informed in society. The Covid 19 pandemic is a crisis and AARP thinking about the economic and security status of the older workers is the best thing to happen to them. The pandemic has prompted a shift in circumstances and people are working from home using their digital skills. Older workers are a vulnerable population and likely to lose their jobs if this grievance is not addressed. Racial Discrimination is eminent in the US following issues of protest such as George Floyd. Women of color face a double tragedy on discrimination based on race and gender discrimination. Older women of color are particularly singled out which is ideal according to their situation. Technology and digital skills help older workers compete for space and opportunities in the online space just like any other person. Going digital is an additional skill that help older workers improve their earnings and ability to use appropriate technology for instance, mobile...