Technology skills provide the tools and knowledge to access better jobs in every sector in Europe.
In a complex and changing economy, Microsoft believes that investing in skills and training is front and centre to Europe’s ability to innovate, drive sustainable growth and enhance workforce employability. To provide a concrete contribution to this work we have programs and initiatives in place which provides access to technology skills, training opportunities, curriculum, learning tools and certification to millions of people - individuals, students, trainers, businesses, IT professionals and users.
Microsoft supports the European Commission’s eSkills strategy and is a partner in the recently launched EU e-skills Week in 2010. We are already working hard to support this vision and in doing so we are partnering with public authorities, industry, SMEs and other stakeholders on the development and implementation of a long term e-skills and digital agenda for Europe. For example, we are co-chairing the e-Skills Industry Leadership Board; we supported the development of the EU e-skills Career Portal together with the European SchoolNet, we partner with other industry leaders in the European Alliance on Skills for Employability.
Microsoft Community Affairs support NGOs through financial grants, software curriculum donations, and employee volunteering to help create employability prospects of the young, the disabled, older workers and other unemployed or under-employed people throughout the European Union.
Microsoft’s Imagine Cup is a global students’ competition aiming to mobilize students to use technology to find solutions to real world issues. It encourages young people to apply their imagination, their passion and their creativity and to imagine the opportunities of a career in ICT.
Microsoft's Student to Business programme has delivered training for 250,000 students over the past three years and established 15,000 internships and jobs at 3,000 companies. Online S2B connections are currently available in over 60 countries, including France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
The Born to Learn Blog is the place to go to experience the latest technologies and allow students, trainers and learners to step up their career development opportunities....
> Visit the Microsoft Skills for Europe website for more information.
> Learn more about Microsoft in Europe