Microsoft, together with LinkedIn and GitHub, recently announced a global skills initiative that aims to arm 25 million people worldwide with digital know-how as the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.
The multionational tech company said in its official blog, "One of the keys to a genuinely inclusive recovery are programs to provide easier access to digital skills for people hardest hit by job losses, including those with lower incomes, women, and underrepresented minorities."
Using the LinkedIn Economic Graph, Microsoft identified the 10 most in-demand jobs, namely software developer, sales representative, project manager, IT administrator, customer service specialist, digital marketing specialist, IT support/help desk, data analyst, financial analyst, graphic designer.
Not only do the following careers have the "greatest number of job openings and had steady growth over the past four years," each one of these also "pays a livable wage and require skills that can be learned online."
The comprehensive technology initiative grants free access to learning paths and content to aid in skills development via LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Learn, and GitHub Learning Lab. Affordable Microsoft certifications and LinkedIn job-seeking tools then open up employment opportunities for qualified professionals.
Microsoft seals the deal by doling out $20 million in cash grants to "help nonprofit organizations worldwide assist the people who need it most."
