- EY and Microsoft seek to build an inclusive digital economy by providing training and skills development opportunities
- Initiative aims to support millions of people to enter or re-enter the workforce, or build new businesses by 2025
LONDON, 4 MAY 2022. EY and Microsoft today announce an expanded collaboration to increase social equity in the digital economy which aims to support millions of people to enter or re-enter the workforce or build new businesses by 2025. Furthering the EY Ripples and the EY ambition to positively impact 1 billion lives by 2030, both organizations aim to accelerate impact by activating joint programs, such as the EY Building Better Working World Data Challenge and Microsoft support of the TRANSFORM initiative, a collaboration between Unilever, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and EY to help accelerate impact entrepreneurs. EY will also integrate Microsoft digital skills content into Future Skills Workshops to deliver new programs that provide training and job search tools. This training will provide social impact organizations the help they need to empower people to find jobs in critical areas such as sustainability and other in-demand disciplines. EY and Microsoft will also seek to collaborate with other global corporations and non-profits to build a broader community focused on providing impact in new areas such as increasing employment opportunities for neurodiverse persons and creating a global learning platform to upskill underserved communities.
Upskilling underserved populations across the globe
EY and Microsoft will work with social impact organizations to upskill communities lacking access to the necessary technology and education through the launch of community training platforms with user and teacher-facing tools and content. Pilots have already begun in Latin America including Brazil, Colombia and Mexico – and will expand to other countries throughout the world. A skills accelerator is also being piloted with the support of gener8tor, to upskill and help find jobs for neurodivergent people in the U.S. and working to create employment opportunities for veterans.
Helping to bridge the digital divide
EY and Microsoft will also collaborate to improve access to digital learning and technologies to underserved communities, with Microsoft providing digital literacy training content through the EY Digital Divide. Together we will provide access to mentorship and technology to communities experiencing digital inequities.
Empowering entrepreneurs in underserved communities
In 2021, Microsoft for Startups became a sponsor of the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN), a comprehensive, executive program designed to elevate emerging and established Black- and Latino-owned companies through access to resources, networks and one-on-one mentoring. Through this sponsorship, Microsoft for Startups has provided capital and resources in areas such as technology strategy development, application development, and business development.
Building on that success, EY and Microsoft are also launching new joint initiatives targeting impact entrepreneurs and deepening existing programs, including TRANSFORM, and the World Economic Forum COVID Response Alliance for Social Entrepreneurs.
Providing access to digital skills and job readiness for people entering the green economy
EY will leverage Microsoft Community Training digital skilling resources to help young people and underserved groups identify and prepare for job opportunities in the green economy. Microsoft has also joined the EY Building Better Working World Data Challenge 2022, providing learning content and training to students and early career professionals participating in the challenge, which requires the use of artificial intelligence and data to help locate and protect biodiversity.
Andy Baldwin, EY Global Managing Partner – Client Service, and a member of the EY Corporate Responsibility Governance Council, says:
“This is a great opportunity to build upon the existing relationship between EY and Microsoft, joining forces on these projects to accelerate impact. These programs will not only help to include valuable, skilled individuals in the job market who have been previously left behind, but it will also drive growth for EY clients, increase diversity in the workplace and address some of the world's greatest equity and sustainability challenges. Ultimately, this initiative supports the mission of both organizations to help the world work better and achieve more.”
Jean-Philippe Courtois, Executive Vice President and President, National Transformation Partnerships at Microsoft, says:
“Bringing together both purpose-driven organizations will help drive greater impact across the globe, creating a more equitable digital economy, a more sustainable future and helping break down barriers within underserved communities that will bring invaluable skills to EY and Microsoft teams, clients and communities around the world.”
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About EY
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This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.
About EY Ripples
The global EY Ripples program aims to positively impact one billion lives by 2030. EY people, together with clients and other like-minded organizations, use their skills, knowledge and experience to bring positive change across three focus areas: supporting the next generation workforce, working with impact entrepreneurs and accelerating environmental sustainability. Learn more at ey.com/eyripples.
This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.
