Microsoft and LinkedIn Expand Availability of Digital Skills Training Resources

Microsoft Corp. has announced that it is extending the availability of its Global Skills Initiative to provide easier access to digital skills for those impacted by the pandemic and help fill vital skills gaps.

Since its launch last June, Microsoft and LinkedIn have helped over 30 million people in 249 countries to access learning resources that enable them to gain digital skills and prepare for and secure some of today’s most in-demand roles, including customer service, project management and data analysis. The availability of these resources, which include free LinkedIn Learning and Microsoft Learn courses and low-cost certifications, has been extended through to the end of 2021.

The next stage of the initiative, detailed on the Official Microsoft Blog, sets a new foundation for a skills-based economy through a suite of new tools and platforms designed to connect skilled job seekers with employers. This comes as new data from LinkedIn finds that nearly a third (31%) of all new jobs started in Ireland last year were by people moving into different industries or functions where they may not have had previous experience.

As career switching becomes more prevalent due to the pandemic, companies must move to assess candidates on their skills and potential as much as their formal qualifications and direct work experience to ensure a fair recovery and successful future.

Helping people gain digital skills

In Ireland, Microsoft and LinkedIn are partnering with Fastrack to IT (FIT), a representative organisation of the technology sector committed to growing Ireland’s tech talent pipeline, to expand the reach and awareness of the Global Skills Initiative and its resources. FIT will provide learners with access to the free digital skills courses as well as other learning resources provided by the company via https://fit.ie/globalskillsinitiative.

Helping companies hire workers based on their skills

To encourage employers to think differently about hiring practices, LinkedIn plans to help 250,000 companies around the world hire candidates based on their skills in 2021. The company will provide new ways for job seekers to demonstrate their skills and new tools for employers to connect to candidates based on their skill proficiencies including:

—  The pilot of LinkedIn Skills Path, a new way to help companies hire for skills. Skills Path brings together LinkedIn Learning courses with Skill Assessments to help recruiters source candidates in a more equitable way — based on their proven skills. LinkedIn is piloting Skills Path with various companies, including BlackRock, Gap Inc. and TaskRabbit, committed to broadening their hiring practices to better include candidates with diverse experiences.

—  New expressive, inclusive and personalised LinkedIn profile features will help people share more about themselves, their career and goals in a more authentic and engaging way. This includes a video Cover Story that allows job seekers to demonstrate their soft skills to recruiters and hiring managers.

—  Expanded access to LinkedIn’s Skills Graph will help create a common skills language for individuals, employers, educational institutions and government agencies to help improve workforce planning, hiring and development programs.

Microsoft is bringing together every part of the company to supplement LinkedIn’s work to promote far-reaching digital skills opportunities, including Career Coach, a Microsoft Teams for Education app powered by LinkedIn that provides personalised guidance for higher education students to navigate their career journey.

Career Coach offers educational institutions a unified career solution for students to help them discover their goals, interests and skills using an AI-based skills identifier and LinkedIn integration that aligns a student’s comprehensive profile with job market trends and helps them grow real-world skills and connect with mentors and peers all in one place.

Cathriona Hallahan, MD, Microsoft Ireland said: “We’re delighted to announce today the extended availability of the Global Skills Initiative’s digital skills training resources at a time when the digitization of all sectors and industries is accelerating. The past year has proven just how impactful technology and digital capabilities can be, but it’s also highlighted areas where gaps are emerging. The digital transformation witnessed over the past year now has to be maintained and to do that we need to ensure our workforces have the digital skills to keep pace.

“These resources are designed for everyone – regardless of your career background or learning pathway. They don’t require digital capabilities or previous experience and are a free resource so I really hope people will take advantage of the materials to equip themselves with the in-demand skills required in the jobs market today.”

Sharon McCooey, Head of LinkedIn in Ireland said: “COVID-19 has forced some people to seek job opportunities in a different sector, and our data shows that those professionals are developing new technical and interpersonal skills to switch careers.

“By taking a skills-based approach to hiring, employers can access a broader talent pool by prioritising capabilities and potential over their experience to date. That’s why we are continuing our commitment to help professionals everywhere learn new skills through our partnership with Microsoft, offering free access to online learning courses through LinkedIn Learning and developing new products to help people match their skills with opportunities.”

Peter Davitt, CEO, FIT added: “Over the past year we’ve seen a continued rise in the demand for digital skills within the jobs market. We’re always looking at new ways of engaging people, at all stages of the education and career journey, to advance their digital skills. We’re delighted to support Microsoft and LinkedIn on the local rollout of this initiative and hope many more will avail of the resources in the coming months.”

Resources announced today can be accessed via LinkedIn at opportunity.linkedin.com and through local partner FIT at https://fit.ie/globalskillsinitiative.