Governor Landry and ConnectLA are collaborating with Apple to give Louisiana organizations access to products that will strengthen adult education and workforce development.
This collaboration benefits college students, veterans' service organizations, and rural health facilities by providing them with access to new technology—approximately $18 million in ÉTOUFFÉE awards at the Louisiana Digital Skills and Technology Summit.
“We’re bringing high-speed internet to rural Louisiana and attracting new jobs across our state. If you’ve worked a full shift and the nearest class is a parish away, having a computer and someone to show you how to use it can mean taking that class right at your kitchen table. That’s how we build on the investments we’ve made and help more Louisianians earn a good living in the communities that raised them,” said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.
Colleges and community organizations will pair the devices with hands-on digital skills training to help Louisianians take classes, prepare for jobs, and access services online. These organizations will receive more than 25,000 Mac and iPad devices to make digital opportunities more accessible.
ConnectLA selected Apple as a partner for built-in device features that give people more ways to use a computer or tablet. With hands-on help from trained staff, a job seeker with low vision can learn to navigate an online application with magnification software or a screen reader. Someone who has difficulty using a keyboard or touchscreen can learn to open apps, fill out forms, and navigate the device by voice.
“At Apple, we believe everyone should have access to the best technology to gain new skills and pursue their passions. Mac and iPad are profoundly accessible and provide incredible capabilities, equipping people with the tools to realize their full potential. We can’t wait to see how Louisianans use these new devices to connect, learn, and seek out new opportunities,” said Susan Prescott, Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations and Education Marketing at Apple.
Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges will receive the largest award, about 13,000 devices. The system plans to extend distance learning to residents of 10 parishes without an adult education site. Adult learners who lack a computer will have access to devices and direct instruction to help them attend class, complete coursework, and apply for jobs online.
The ÉTOUFFÉE program conquers barriers of poor internet speed and lack of access to devices. Free device lending, public computer labs, and programs that support education, workforce training, or health care are now available in these rural areas to help the community stay updated.
“We’re building high-speed internet across Louisiana so people can put it to work. Through ÉTOUFFÉE, residents can walk into a place they already trust, get their hands on a device they can use, and have someone show them how. We’ll measure success by what people are able to do next, whether that’s finish a course, find a job, or make a medical appointment they would have had to drive an hour to keep, ” said Executive Director of ConnectLA, Veneeth Iyengar.
ÉTOUFFÉE award recipients include Bastion Veterans Wellness Center, Franklin Parish, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Pointe Coupée Parish, Savoy Medical, Southeastern Louisiana University, Southern University and A&M College, Southern University at New Orleans, Town of St. Joseph, Town of White Castle, and West Ascension Parish Hospital.
