Computer skills are widely believed to be essential for social and economic participation. While the demand for scientists and engineers often drives 21st-century workforce conversations, basic ICT fluency is important across the labor market, from farmers to teachers to entrepreneurs.
TASCHA employability research examines the varieties of approaches to computer training in diverse contexts around the world. It is primarily concerned with nonprofit training programs that offer introductory courses to communities facing social and economic challenges.
What makes these computer training programs effective? How does technology fit in the larger organizational culture? What other benefits are associated with computer training? What constitutes evidence of success? What lessons can be shared across contexts?
Sponsor
TASCHA’s Employability initiative began in 2005 under a grant from Microsoft Community Affairs — through the Unlimited Potential Community Technology Skills Program, which funds training, access, and research in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Projects
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Evidence Narratives
- Immigrant Women & e-Skills in Europe
- Technology for Employability in Washington State
- Youth & People with Disabilities in Latin America
Publications
Browse TASCHA’s most recent employability publications.
TASCHA researchers Maria Garrido, Joe Sullivan, and Andrew Gordon also published a conceptual framework for analyzing the connection between employment outcomes and computer training based on more than four years of research which will soon be available through ICTD 2010.
TASCHA researchers
Maria Garrido
Joe Sullivan
Andrew Gordon
Chris Coward
Research partners
Antonio José Junqueira Botelho
Andrea Diaz
Jay Freistadt
Michele Frix
Judith Gilmore
Luis H. Gutiérrez
Claudia Hernandez
Noelle Huskins
Judith Marsical
Philip Neff
Thierno Oumar
Joyojeet Pal
Milvia Rastrelli
Gabriel Rissola
Jaime A. Ruiz
Tricia Vander Leest
Mark West
