Microsoft Mulls to Empower 25 Million People with New Digital Skills

Not less than 25 million jobless people across the world will acquire new digital skills each before the end of this year.

This is as Digital Transformation Platform, Microsoft, recently, announced a new global skills initiative aimed at bringing more digital skills to 25 million people worldwide in response to the global economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It said the expanded access to digital skills is an important step in accelerating economic recovery, especially for the people hardest hit by job losses.

According to Microsoft, this initiative includes immediate steps to help those looking to re-skill and pursue an in-demand job and brings together every part of the company, combining existing and new resources from LinkedIn, GitHub and Microsoft.

This includes: 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.

In addition, Microsoft explained that it is backing its effort with $20 million in cash grants to help nonprofit organizations worldwide assist the people who need it most.

It said: “One-quarter of this total or $5 million will be provided in cash grants to community-based nonprofit organizations that are led by and serve communities of colour in the United States.”

It is also pledging to make stronger data and analytics including data from the LinkedIn Economic Graph, available to governments around the world so they can better assess local economic needs.

Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, said: “COVID-19 has created both public health and an economic crisis and as the world recovers, we need to ensure no one is left behind.

“Today, we’re bringing together resources from Microsoft inclusive of LinkedIn and GitHub to reimagine how people learn and apply new skills- and help 25 million people facing unemployment due to COVID-19 prepare for the jobs of the future.”

“The biggest brunt of the current downturn is being borne by those who can afford it the least,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith. “Unemployment rates are spiking for people of color and women, as well as younger workers, people with disabilities, and individuals with less formal education. Our goal is to combine the best in technology with stronger partnerships with governments and nonprofits to help people develop the skills needed to secure a new job.”

Also, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky said creating opportunity for every member of the global workforce is what drives everything LinkedIn does.

“As a part of the Microsoft ecosystem, we have the unique ability to help job seekers around the world especially those who have been disproportionately disadvantaged during the COVID-19 crisis gain the skills and find the jobs they deserve.

“We are proud to be bringing the right data about what the jobs and skills of the future will be to create the right learning paths to help 25 million job seekers find their next opportunities,” Roslansky added