Verizon has announced a $70 million investment in Verizon AI Skills for America, a nationwide initiative to provide free AI skills training to job seekers, early career professionals, displaced workers, educators, and small businesses. The program combines Verizon's existing $20 million Reskilling and Career Transition Fund with $50 million in new funding, reflecting a significant corporate commitment to addressing the AI-driven skills gap.
The initiative matters because AI is rapidly transforming every industry, and without accessible upskilling, millions of workers risk being left behind. Verizon CEO Dan Schulman emphasized that companies have a responsibility to invest in people with the same urgency as technology, stating, "AI isn't just a technological shift—it will change the face of every workforce around the world." By offering free access to premium AI training, Verizon aims to help workers retain jobs, navigate career transitions, and support small business growth, ultimately building a more resilient economy.
Verizon is curating 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. Such training typically costs over $700 per person annually, so this initiative removes a major financial barrier for learners at every career stage. Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer of Verizon, noted that creating economic opportunity in the AI era requires collaboration, and the company is grateful to its tech partners for bringing world-class AI training to local communities for free.
Beyond content, Verizon recognizes that access alone is insufficient. The program's cornerstone is collaboration with trusted mission-based organizations like Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), and Goodwill Industries International. These groups provide hands-on coaching, curriculum guidance, and local support to turn online coursework into practical skills. Steven C. Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries International, said, "Real workforce transformation happens at the community level... Partnering with Verizon allows us to help people build practical AI skills through their local Goodwill."
The initiative will launch nationwide with core wrap-around services in select regional markets, and Verizon will gather real-time feedback to continuously improve the program. This adaptive approach ensures the training remains relevant as workforce needs evolve. To learn more or register for training, visit verizon.com/aiskillsforamerica. The announcement was originally published by Verizon; Read the original press release. For more information about Verizon, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.
