The initiative aims to increase employability for the city’s underserved communities
Elly Yates-Roberts |
As part of its global initiative to reskill people around the world, Microsoft has launched Accelerate: Atlanta, to help the city provide residents with digital skills and increase employability.
Accelerate: Atlanta is the first US implementation of Microsoft’s global skills initiative and will supports the needs of those impacted by the global pandemic and racial inequality in accessing education.
“Atlanta is the first US city in our ambitious national investment plan to support our country’s economic recovery,” said Kate Johnson, president of Microsoft US. “We’re delighted that we can bring the breadth of the Microsoft technology ecosystem in partnership with the mayor to provide communities in Atlanta with the digital skills needed for a more equitable, prosperous future.”
Microsoft says that “with support of the mayor’s office and additional public and private partnerships, the initiative aims to accelerate economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19, address the needs of people of underserved communities who require digital skills to stay competitive, and empower them to seize the employment opportunities of the future”.
Other partners involved in the project include Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, learning partners General Assembly, OpenClassrooms and TechBridge and corporate partners such as Accenture.
“Through Accelerate: Atlanta, Microsoft and its partners will help close the digital divide and ensure there is a place for everyone in our shared future,” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “The road to economic recovery must begin with pathways to opportunity that are inclusive and accessible to all. This is more than an initiative – this is an investment in underserved and underrepresented communities that will equip our residents with skills to compete in a modern workforce, while at the same time grow our middle class.”
Microsoft will provide grants to 50 non-profit organisations across the USA to aid in this skills initiative, including Atlanta-based non-profits led by and serving Black/African American communities.