Scotland Digital Skills Initiative for the Young Unemployed

A Microsoft-backed training programme will be offered to unemployed young people across Scotland.

14:16 03 February 2022

A youth employment charity, Generation UK, has partnered with Microsoft and the JP Morgan Chase Charitable Foundation to launch a training programme to help young unemployed people across Scotland. 

 

The initiative, which is aimed at adults aged between 18 and 29 from underrepresented communities, will equip participants with the skills to pursue careers in technology. The courses will focus on the highest-demand technology skillsets, including data engineering, cloud computing and IT support. 

 

Michael Houlihan, CEO at Generation UK, said: “By tackling the digital skills shortage across Scotland, we have a real opportunity to support meaningful and sustainable employment for many young people and bolster much-needed skilled talent to address business needs,”

 

“Understanding the challenges that young people have faced around employment because of the pandemic is equally as important.

 

“We are particularly interested in reaching hard to reach communities and those from underrepresented backgrounds that may have long felt forgotten, to give them a real opportunity to enter a sector that is thriving and looking for talent to support its growth.”

 

Steven Grier, Scotland country manager at Microsoft UK, said: “Scotland’s recovery depends on creating a workforce that can tackle the digital skills shortage and unlock opportunity. To create that workforce, sectors must work together to create more accessible and inclusive pathways to digital careers.”

 

Stephanie Mestrallet, head of UK programming – global philanthropy at JP Morgan Chase Foundation, added: “Building a skilled workforce and ensuring that all students have access to the support and real world experiences they need is critical to building an inclusive economy that works for all.”