Computer World reports that broadband and computer training centers around the country are helping workers make the transition into an Internet economy:

“The broadband stimulus program wasn't created just to deploy broadband in underserved rural areas – it was also designed to create education centers to help train more people in how to use the Web.”

The city of Lowell, Massachusetts has used a $783,000 broadband stimulus grant to build 11 new computer training centers. "I've had people who have worked on machine their whole lives and they're coming in to learn the basics,” said Shannon Robichaud of Community Teamwork, Inc. (CTI) . "To even apply for any kind of job nowadays you have to go online."

"Hospitals are telling us now that even jobs such as nursing assistants have to use the Internet and know how to use computers to access e-mail and electronic records," added CTI’s Cheryl Amey. "Entry-level positions that no one used to think of as technical now require a level of technical knowledge that many job seekers don't have."

Planners of the new computing centers say they are also a big draw for seniors, who are eager to learn more about using the Internet but may not be ready to make an investment in a new computer and the monthly broadband subscription fees until they are better educated on its many benefits.

Read more about the new computing centers here.

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