SALISBURY — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has been awarded a $5,000 grant by AT&T to support computer training in Rowan County.

“We are proud to partner with AT&T on this initiative that will help our community to develop additional digital literacy tools and skills,” said college President Carol S. Spalding. “As one of the top 10 digital community colleges in the U.S., it is something we pride ourselves in.”

The program, called Passport for the Online World, is designed to help beginners to advanced online application users. It will include a range of training from basic computer classes to courses on cloud-based computing, Microsoft Online Office and using social media in a work search. Participants will receive a stamp in their virtual passport after successfully completing one of the computer trainings.

“Digital literacy is an essential requirement for 21st-century citizenship and is defined as the ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share and create content using information technologies and the internet,” said state Sen. Andrew Brock. “Some folks are at risk of falling behind if they are not part of the connected world.”

“At AT&T, we believe strongly in the importance of education as essential to a person’s future success, as well as the future of a community,” said Kathleen Evans, AT&T regional director for external affairs. “We are all citizens of a digital world, and this program helps to prepare students for success in a way they may not have thought possible.”

The college will offer the program as part of the award-winning R3 (Refocus, Retrain, Re-employ) program.

The R3 model has been used at Rowan-Cabarrus for a number of years, largely helping to support laid-off workers in the region over the past two decades. The college provides employability workshops, adult basic education, NC Works Career Center services and job search assistance free of charge through the R3 program.

“The college is committed to helping build a strong workforce and to supporting the economic growth of Rowan County. This funding will continue to help us do just that,” said Craig Lamb, vice president of corporate and continuing education at Rowan-Cabarrus college.

R3 career services currently offers computer lab assistance each week when residents can work with an instructor in an informal setting to identify their computer skill level needs. Participants may sign up at these weekly times for Passport for the Online World. More information is available at www.rccc.edu/r3 or 704-216-7201.

“The goal of this program is to make a difference by helping individuals gain basic computer skills. In addition, we also offer critical workforce training and skill-building,” said Keri Allman, program manager for R3 career services.

Access from the AT&T program provides a low-cost option for home internet access to limited-income households. The program is available in the 21 states where the company offers wireline home internet services and where at least one household member participates in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. Qualifying households can receive the fastest of five speed tiers available, as much as 10 megabits per second, based on their service address. For more information about the program or to apply, go to www.att.com/access.

For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, visit www.rccc.edu or call 704-216-RCCC (7222).