Technology education and skills training is much weaker in urban public schools than in suburban areas. Wolpert further contends that information technology has not been targeted to the special needs of low-income urban people. One way to reverse this trend is to make people computer literate. The baseline need is better equipment for urban schools and libraries, along with trained personnel to supervise its use. Without making technology available in urban areas, Wolpert contends, the urban poor will be inadequately prepared for even the most basic entry-level jobs.
Many economic implications accompany the technology gap.
At the same time, the labor market is growing. In addition to fewer job opportunities for low-income people, the Urban Institute reports that lifetime incomes are becoming more unequal. The technology gap will only exacerbate these problems. For example, the NTIA assists communities and non-profit institutions with their telecommunications needs through the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program, and the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television. Most of the work being done is happening in the schools.