WorkSource, Wilkinson County High School partner to bridge digital divide for graduating seniors

Nine graduating seniors from Wilkinson County High School have received free laptops as part of an effort to bridge the digital divide faced by rural students.

WILKINSON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Nine graduating seniors from Wilkinson County High School have received free laptops as part of an effort to bridge the digital divide faced by rural students.

The initiative was made possible through a partnership between WorkSource and the high school.

Paul Allen, the project manager at WorkSource Georgia, says students in rural areas face challenges.

“There’s a lot of people that live in rural areas that don’t have access to computers and technology to help them be competitive in the workforce, so WorkSource really works with education partners and employers and training providers to close the skills gap.”

Chiquita Jackson, the work-based learning coordinator at Wilkinson High School, says students need access to technology to get ahead in today’s world.

“I think that the computer or any type or form of technology helps bring them closer to what their goals are, what their dreams are,” she said.

The laptop recipients shared their aspirations for the future with us. Some are planning to pursue higher education in fields such as nursing and civil engineering.

Each of these students will participate in a 5-week virtual work-based learning internship with WorkSource this summer.

Trenise Smith, a career facilitator at the Middle Georgia Consortium, says the internship is with Career Compass Academy and includes a total of 43 hours of participation, with students expected to log on Monday through Wednesday and submit assignments by Thursday. At the conclusion of the internship, the students will receive a monetary award of $1,000.

Seniors are set to graduate on Saturday.