Microsoft creates 300,000 training & work experience placements

Microsoft is aiming to create 300,000 training and work experience placements in a bid to tackle the UK’s youth unemployment.

The three-year programme, called “Get On”, was announced by Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer and Prime Minister David Cameron this week. The technology company will offer the programme to unemployed people aged 16-24.

The Get On scheme includes three parts. These include educating participants about future prospects, IT training and making sure that apprenticeships are provided at some of Microsoft’s 30,000 partner businesses.

Get On is part of a global initiative, Microsoft YouthSpark, to create opportunities for 300 million young people in the next three years. The firm pledged in 2009 to help get half a million people into work by 2012 through the Britain Works scheme. Microsoft says that the programme has directly helped 470,895 people to date.

Ballmer says: “In these difficult economic times, the best investment we can make is in our young people, to help them develop the skills and creativity they need to create our economic and social future.”

Cameron added: “Microsoft's 'Get On' campaign is exactly the kind of support we need from business to inspire, provide skills, and create meaningful opportunities in the industries that will drive our economy forward in the future.

Source: 9 November 2012, AskGrapevine

http://www2.askgrapevine.com/news/hr/article/2012-11-09-microsoft-to-create-300-000-training-and-work-experience-placements/