Canada Skills Program delivers training,
curriculum and Microsoft Azure credits, enabling students to
graduate with in-demand data analytics, AI and cloud
certifications
TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, Microsoft Canada
and 12 post-secondary institutions announced the Canada Skills
Program. Launching this fall, the program will bolster the data
& AI skills and employability of more than 4,500 students in
diploma, degree and continuing education programs.
The Canada Skills program provides opportunities for students to
acquire in-demand digital skills and certifications enabling them
to graduate with both a Microsoft certification, as well as their
institution's credential. This is phase one of the program;
Microsoft will continue to expand to additional institutions and
provinces, with the goal of reaching students across
Canada.
"The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation at
unimaginable rates, making skills in cloud, data and AI more
important than ever," said Kevin
Peesker, President, Microsoft Canada. "Microsoft developed
the Canada Skills Program to help strengthen the innovation economy
by building a talent pipeline equipped with the skills they need
for future success."
To facilitate the Canada Skills Program at local institutions,
Microsoft is training and certifying almost 100 faculty as
Microsoft Certified Trainers at colleges, polytechnics and
universities, providing the fundamental skills that are in high
demand as the economy emerges from the challenges caused by
COVID-19.
Institutions will combine Microsoft's curriculum alongside
existing coursework to skill students in Data and AI technologies
and prepare students to take industry-recognized Microsoft
Certifications including Azure AI Engineer, Azure Data Scientist,
Azure Data Engineer, Azure Administrator, Azure Solutions Architect
and Azure Fundamentals. Students will also have access to Azure
Education Hub to support hands on learning.
"The global economic recovery will be significantly rooted in
innovations which require these skills," said Anthony Salcito, Vice President of Worldwide
Education, Microsoft. "As a global technology leader, we have a
responsibility to ensure future generations of workers have the
tools they need to succeed, and to help strengthen our economies
overall."
The first 12 post-secondary institutions to sign on with the
Microsoft Canada Skills Program are:
- British Columbia:
University of British Columbia;
Vancouver Community College
- Alberta: University of Calgary; Northern Alberta Institute
of Technology; Red Deer College;
Southern Alberta Institute of
Technology; Bow Valley College
- Saskatchewan:
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
- Ontario: Seneca College, Humber
College; Ontario Tech University; Algonquin College
The Microsoft Canada Skills Program is the company's latest
initiative aimed at giving Canadians the skills they need for the
digital economy. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced a global
skilling initiative to help 25 million workers who lost their jobs
as a result of COVID-19, providing free training and access to
learning tools across Microsoft, LinkedIn and GitHub. This
initiative will also allow recent graduates to upgrade and evolve
their skills with the changing economy.
QUOTES
"In our technology driven world, skills and experience with data
analytics, AI and the cloud help set graduates apart and prepare
them for success in many careers. The Canada Skills Program will
provide professional development opportunities to faculty and allow
Humber College to continue to provide
sought-after industry certifications to our students."
-
Chris Whitaker, President and CEO,
Humber College
"As a polytechnic, NAIT's programs are taught by experts and
aligned with what industry needs most. Working with Microsoft
enhances our ability to deliver both expertise and
industry-relevant education and supports our students in achieving
their career goals."
-
Sue Fitzsimmons, VP Academic &
Provost, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
"Saskatchewan Polytechnic is excited to sign on with the
Microsoft Canada Skills Program, providing Saskatchewan learners with the skills they
need to thrive in the digital economy. The nature of work is
changing and COVID-19 has accelerated much of this change. This
partnership with Microsoft Canada will provide learners with the
opportunity to retrain and upskill to help Saskatchewan recover economically in this
post-pandemic reality."
- Dr.
Larry Rosia, president and CEO,
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
"We are delighted to work with Microsoft to offer our students
the digital skills they need in the innovation economy. With
faculty in key programs being Microsoft Certified Trainers, our
students will be equipped with the right skills and credentials to
succeed in their careers."
-
David Agnew, President, Seneca College
"It's more important than ever that we arm students with the
skills they need to succeed now and in the future. Giving
University of Calgary students the
opportunity to achieve Microsoft Certifications alongside their
degrees will not only help them find meaningful jobs but will also
provide the fundamental skills they need to create their own
opportunities in the digital economy."
-
Bill Rosehart, Dean, Schlich School
of Engineering, University of
Calgary
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985,
Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of
Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses
realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides
nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services
in both French and English. For more information on Microsoft
Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca.
SOURCE Microsoft Canada Inc.