Nearly 90,000 Hongkongers acquire digital skills amidst pandemic

Globally, Microsoft has helped over 30 million individuals upskill.

Microsoft has helped close to 90,000 individuals in Hong Kong to acquire digital skills for a more future-ready workforce.

Amongst the participants of the upskilling and re-skilling initiatives during the pandemic were local flight attendants and pilots.

More than 5,000 aviation workers secured digital skills certifications, intended to help them pursue different career paths. The aviation sector was heavily disrupted by the pandemic as it prompted territories to close down their borders and restrict travel.

In addition, career coaching and job-matching opportunities will also be provided to the participants of the program, in partnership with local recruiter Adecco and Generation Hong Kong.

This also comes as Microsoft designated the Vocational Training Council as Hong Kong’s first tertiary institution authorized to issue Microsoft certification.

“Digital skills will be as essential as language skills in the post-pandemic world. Upskilling and reskilling need to be at the center of our economic reset,” said Cally Chan, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau.

“Together with LinkedIn and our partners across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, we are committed to supporting the development of a more inclusive skills-based labor market.”

Microsoft has helped over 30 million people across 249 countries and territories, exceeding its 25 million goal from last June.

It also plans to extend its commitment to 250,000 companies globally, helping them make a skills-based hire in 2021. This will be executed through LinkedIn’s Skills Path as well as expanded access to its Skills Graph, that both help in recruitment and workforce planning.