Given the issue of rising unemployment in the UK, Microsoft is dedicating itself over the next three years to helping get Britain back to work. Through a series of partnerships with nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), community learning centres, and public authorities, we are aiming to help half a million people into jobs in the areas of the economy that will lead the recovery. These will be digital jobs, requiring the use of computer skills, and will be in a range of industries from manufacturing to services and the IT industry itself.
There are five main elements to the Britain Works programme:
Partnerships with Employment-Focussed NGOs
Microsoft will build on existing relationships and create new partnerships with employment-focussed NGOs to support their work in getting hard-to-reach people back to work. Support for NGOs will be in the form of cash, software, and volunteering time.
Click here to learn more about the Britain Works NGO Programme
Apprenticeships
The Partner Apprenticeship programme has been rolled out from the pilot area in the West Midlands to a national offer. Potential apprentices are selected by JobCentre Plus and recruited by local Microsoft partners looking to take on technical support professionals. The apprentices are trained by a Microsoft IT Academy, and after seven months are working full time for the partner.
Technology Startups
Through its BizSpark programme, Microsoft is supporting the creating of thousands of software development jobs in new technology startups. The programme provides software, support, networking, and other resources through a number of network partners.
Access to Skills Training
Microsoft has produced free curriculum materials to help people acquire the basic digital literacy needed to operate in today’s digital society. The Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum is available online or at any of the thousands of UK Online Centres. Microsoft also supports a network of almost 700 IT Academies based in academic institutions delivering user and professional IT training to students and adult learners.
In addition, Microsoft is providing 450,000 training vouchers to enable underserved communities to access the skills for the digital economy. These vouchers will be delivered through a range of local and regional government bodies as part of their efforts to support local employment opportunities.
Work Experience for Young People
With youth unemployment high and rising, Microsoft is focussing on the challenge of helping young people gain the experience of the workplace they need to get that vital first break. With Young Britain Works, we are creating 150 new work experience placements for unemployed young people and partnering with Remploy to encourage for other employers to join in and provide more placements.
Click here to learn more about the Young Britain Works Programme
Contact Britain Works
If you have any questions about any aspects of the Britain Works programme or would like to find out how you can develop new skills then please email the Britain Works Team at britwork@microsoft.com.
Through Britain Works, Microsoft is proud to support Backing Young Britain
