Microsoft equips over 150K Pinoys with digital skills
Microsoft Corp. said it has helped over 30 million people in 249 countries and territories, of which over 150,000 are from the Philippines, gain access to digital skills during the pandemic, stepping into the next stage to help job seekers and employers move to a skills-based economy.
The software giant said it is also extending its commitment to help 250,000 companies globally make a skills-based hire in 2021.
From laid-off factory workers to retail associates and truck drivers, millions of people turned to online learning courses from GitHub, LinkedIn and Microsoft during the pandemic to help prepare for and secure the most in-demand roles, including customer service, project management and data analysis.
“Skills will be the new currency in the post-pandemic world. Over the past year, we’ve seen the pandemic affect people all across the world, including those who could bear it the least,” said Microsoft Asia president Ahmed Mazhari.
“For us to emerge stronger from the pandemic, reskilling needs to be at the center of our economic reset. Together with LinkedIn, we are doubling down our efforts to re-design work in the region by supporting the development of a more inclusive skills-based labor market, creating more alternatives, greater flexibility, and accessible learning paths that connect people more readily with new job opportunities.”
The global skilling effort in the Philippines is a strategic imperative within Microsoft’s nation-building plan for the country. Known as its Para sa Bayan program, the plan ultimately aims to positively impact 25 million Filipinos over the next three years by stimulating digital transformation, building coalitions for responsible innovation, closing the skills gap and enhancing employability, and creating sustainable societal impact.
Education is a key focus area for Microsoft, and its close collaborations with the Department of Education (DepEd) aims to transform the education sector with technology. Before COVID-19, Microsoft and DepEd embarked on a project to provide free Microsoft 365 accounts to over 20 million public school students and 900,000 teachers in 48,000 schools all over the country. To date, over 400,000 teachers have been trained in Office 365, Teams and other digital teaching tools.
Microsoft is also partnering with the national government to upskill up to 800,000 government employees and five million students for economic development and inclusive growth.
In addition, programs in partnership with the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, ABS-CBN, Philippine Airlines, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, Grab Philippines, and CloudSwyft are underway to ensure to close the skills gap of Filipino workers and enhance employability.
“COVID-19 has increased the need for digital skills, and we are committed to meeting that need however we can – paving the way for a more resilient Philippines and allowing all sectors of society to contribute to the country’s economic recovery. We will continue to partner with the government, the private sector, non-profits, and NGOs to have a whole nation approach,” said Andres Ortola, general manager, Microsoft Philippines.
For the mom who’s all heart, iconic Tiffany & Co. is a great starting place for the perfect Mother’s Day gift.
There’s something incredibly heartwarming about Mother’s Day, and if there’s anything the ongoing health crisis has taught us, it’s that we need to celebrate those near and dear to us in special, creative ways.
Giving flowers has always been a lovely gesture, but if you’re looking for something unquestionably longer lasting, jewelry and homeware accessories have endured the test of time.
This Mother’s Day, Tiffany & Co. reminds everyone to celebrate every mom, today and every day.
Discover the brand’s selection of timeless jewels with the help of a little blue box. For the mom who’s all heart, iconic Return to Tiffany jewelry is a great starting place for the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Follow the collection’s saying and celebrate her generous heart with the signature heart-shaped tag.
For the mom who knows no limits, it’s time to pay tribute to the game changers and never-say-no women in your life with delicate necklaces, ideal for layering, mixing and matching.
Return your mom’s thoughtfulness with a striking Tiffany bracelet, necklace or pair of earrings — in her favorite precious metal or gemstone. Since she’s always such a great listener, turn to classic studs, guaranteed to bring her joy this Mother’s Day and every day after. After all, it’s a universally acknowledged truth that moms adore diamond earrings.
When it comes to personalization the company offers endless possibilities, like engraving and a wide array of personal gemstones to commemorate this special occasion. A present contained in a little blue box conveys emotions and feelings perfectly without you having to say a word.
Since 1837, Tiffany & Co. has been the trusted, go-to jewelry brand synonymous with elegance, innovative design, fine craftsmanship and creative excellence. The company’s commitment to superlative quality means the pieces bought today are prime heirloom jewelry pieces that can be passed on for generations to come.
Tiffany & Co. takes pride in putting client and employee safety first, especially as the world continues to adapt to the new normal. It recently launched the first virtual store tour in the country, providing a safe avenue for its clients to “walk” through the store online and see its beautiful jewelry collection without leaving the comfort of their homes.
The unparalleled digital experience gives everyone in the Philippines, including those in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, a chance to go to the Greenbelt flagship boutique and browse through the world’s most beautiful diamonds. Picking a gift for mom this Mother’s Day is a simple, seamless and delightful experience for those who prefer to stay in.
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In the Philippines, Tiffany & Co. is located at Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center Malls, Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Tower Shangri-La Plaza Mall. All stores are open daily.
To visit the virtual store, click this link: bit.ly/tiffany-virtual . To browse the catalog, click this link: https://bitly. com/tiffany-manila-catalog.