Microsoft has launched an initiative to help millions of people acquire more digital skills. In a June 30 blog post, Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president for issues involving the intersection between technology and society, announced that the initiative will combine existing and new resources from LinkedIn, GitHub, and Microsoft.
The company aims to offer 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.
Free access to learning paths and comprehensive resources will help people develop the skills needed for in-demand jobs, such as
According to Smith, LinkedIn Learning paths aligned with each of these roles are available free of charge through the end of March 2021. Each learning path includes a sequence of video content designed to help job seekers develop the core skills needed for each role. Each learning path is currently available in English, French, Spanish, and German.
In addition, Microsoft and LinkedIn will continue to provide on-ramps for people from nontraditional backgrounds to successfully transition from learning skills to landing a job.
This will include the Microsoft Software & Systems Academy, or MSSA, which provides transitioning U.S. service members and veterans with technology skills.
It also includes Leap, which Microsoft launched in 2015 to recruit, develop, upskill non-traditional talent, and create a connection to employability in the tech industry.
And it includes REACH, which is a multi-year engineering apprenticeship program at LinkedIn.
“We believe we can combine the best in technology with stronger partnerships with governments and nonprofits. Together we can better serve people, filling jobs and creating opportunities for individuals around the world. We should all aspire to turn a year that had a bleak beginning into a decade that has a bright finish. We bring a long-term determination and a commitment to do our part,” Smith wrote.
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