Verizon has announced a $70 million investment in a nationwide initiative called Verizon AI Skills for America, designed to equip job seekers, early career professionals, displaced workers, educators, and small businesses with the skills needed to thrive in the AI era. The program combines Verizon's existing $20 million Reskilling and Career Transition Fund for departing workers with $50 million in new funding to provide free access to premium AI training. This move underscores the growing importance of AI literacy in the modern workforce and represents a significant private-sector effort to address the digital skills gap.
The initiative offers a one-stop portal that consolidates high-value training content from leading AI experts, including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, Coursera, and OpenAI, at no cost to participants. According to the press release, such training can typically cost more than $700 per person per year. By removing cost barriers, Verizon and its partners aim to make AI education accessible to learners at every career stage. "Strengthening the American economy starts with making sure every individual has the opportunity to adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing world," said Dan Schulman, Verizon CEO. "Companies, working closely together and with the public sector, have a responsibility to invest in people with the same urgency they invest in technology."
Beyond providing content, Verizon is collaborating with mission-based organizations such as the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), and Goodwill Industries International. These partners will offer hands-on coaching, curriculum guidance, and local support to help learners translate online coursework into practical skills. "Real workforce transformation happens at the community level in the neighborhoods where people live, learn, and look for their next opportunity," said Steven C. Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Partnering with Verizon allows us to help people build practical AI skills through their local Goodwill, so they're set up for success as work continues to evolve."
The program will launch nationwide, with core wrap-around services available in select regional markets. Verizon plans to gather real-time feedback from participants and community partners to continuously improve the training and adapt to changing workforce needs. This initiative is part of Verizon's broader commitment to closing the digital divide and fostering an inclusive, AI-ready workforce. For more information or to register, visit verizon.com/aiskillsforamerica. The announcement was originally published by Verizon, and the full press release can be read at Read the original press release.
With AI rapidly transforming industries, initiatives like Verizon AI Skills for America could play a crucial role in mitigating job displacement and fostering economic resilience. By providing free access to top-tier training and community support, Verizon is not only helping individuals stay competitive but also strengthening the overall U.S. economy. As Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer of Verizon, noted, "Creating meaningful economic opportunity in the AI era is not something any one company can achieve alone." This collaborative approach may serve as a model for other corporations looking to address the skills gap and promote inclusive growth.
