Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft has become a sponsor of German coding school 42 Wolfsburg, where it will support software development training and help shape the curriculum for automotive software and mobility ecosystems.
42 Wolfsburg is a higher education institution with no teachers, courses or timetables. Microsoft says: “Instead, talented students learn to shape their own future by taking it into their own hands. They independently acquire new knowledge and support each other in improving their coding skills.”
“With its focus on teamwork, creativity, independence and problem solving, the school fits excellently into the Microsoft culture,” said Marianne Janik, CEO of Microsoft Germany. “Our success is based not only on IT skills, but also on a value-oriented, responsible entrepreneurial attitude. The training at 42 Wolfsburg promotes exactly what we mean by a ‘growth mindset’.”
The Wolfsburg school is sponsored by non-profit association 42 Wolfsburg, which is supported by Volkswagen. Volkswagen and Microsoft are already working together on numerous projects, including an automotive cloud and an Automated Driving Platform.
“Volkswagen is convinced: strong partnerships are an important lever for shaping technological, digital and social change,” said Gunnar Kilian, board member for human resources at Volkswagen. “We are therefore delighted that with Microsoft, another top player is promoting the innovation potential of the novel educational concept of 42 Wolfsburg. In line with the credo ’stronger together’, we are bundling the skills of our companies with Microsoft to contribute to the training of urgently-needed IT specialists.”
42 Wolfsburg currently has over 10,000 students enrolled. “It is particularly important for us that 42 Wolfsburg not only focuses on the highest level of technological expertise, but also provides access to digital education and promotes equal opportunities,” said Janik. Training is free and admission is based on motivation and competence, rather than formal qualifications.