Grab-Microsoft tie-up to build skilled workforce
JAK ARTA: Grab has partnered with Microsoft to equip workers with technology skills, riding on the new digital economy.
The initiative is part of the ridehailing firm’s recently-launched “Grab for Good” programme.
Grab and Microsoft aim to plug the digital skills gap by committing combined resources, expertise and capabilities, fulfilling a shared vision to make economic opportunities in technology and digital economy accessible to all in Southeast Asia.
Microsoft Asia Pacific vicepresident of sales, marketing and operations Ricky Kapur said the company believed that education, specifically in technology and digital literacy, should be accessible to everyone.
“We are excited to launch a pathway to develop a digitallyinclusive workforce in the AsiaPacific region with Grab, which will improve the trajectory for generations to come.
“Together with Grab, we are building a skilled workforce that will transform families, communities and countries, creating the world of tomorrow,” he said at the launch of the Grab for Good programme and Social Impact Report 2018-2019, here, yesterday.
Grab co-founder Hooi Ling Tan said the company hopes everyone could rise and benefit from the growing digital economy.
Under the partnership, Grab and Microsoft will work with selected universities in Southeast Asia to train students with realworld technical skills.
Both parties have partnered with University of Indonesia and Bandung Institute of Technology to offer the Microsoft certification programme, with more universities in Southeast Asia expected to come on board in the next six months.
Grab and Microsoft will create a pathway for interested driverpartners to pursue technology careers. The first pilot programme in Singapore aims to upskill 100 driver-partners with the first batch trained by June next year.
Grab said it would also expand the “Break the Silence” initiative to Indonesia and Singapore, and further enhance the programme in Malaysia and Thailand.
Grab has more than 500 deaf driver-partners on the platform and plans to double the number next year.