Microsoft launches initiative to help 25 million people worldwide acquire the digital skills needed in a COVID-19 economy
On 30 June, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella launched an initiative aimed at offering digital-skills training to 25 million people around the world by the end of 2020.
As part of the initiative, the company will be providing free access to educational content on LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Learn, and GitHub Learning Lab.
“Talent is everywhere but the opportunity is not. Over and over again, we see that when people have access to education and skilling, they create new economic opportunities for themselves, as well as their communities,” said Nadella in a webcast.
“In six months, the world has endured multiple challenges, including a pandemic that has spurred a global economic crisis,” Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post. “As societies reopen, it’s apparent that the economy in July will not be what it was in January.”
“Increasingly, one of the key steps needed to foster a safe and successful economic recovery is expanded access to the digital skills needed to fill new jobs. And one of the keys to a genuinely inclusive recovery are programs to provide easier access to digital skills for people hardest hit by job losses, including those with lower incomes, women, and underrepresented minorities.” Brad said
He said, “This initiative will bring together every part of our company, combining existing and new resources from LinkedIn, GitHub, and Microsoft.” It will be grounded in three areas of activity:
- The use of data to identify in-demand jobs and the skills needed to fill them
- Free access to learning paths and content to help people develop the skills these positions require
- Low-cost certifications and free job-seeking tools to help people who develop these skills pursue new jobs
The company said it’ll also pledge $20 million in grants to nonprofit organizations around the world helping those affected by COVID-19. A fourth of the grants will be given to US-based nonprofits that are led by and serve communities of color.
