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Microsoft and IYF boost employment in East Africa
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THE MICROSOFT Corporation, in conjunction with the International Youth Foundation has announced a joint venture project that will generate and enhance sustainable employment opportunities for youths in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania.
A recent statement disclosed that the joint venture agreement between IYF and Microsoft is part of Microsoft's long-term commitment to use technology, training and partnerships to transform education, foster local innovation, and enable jobs and opportunities that will sustain a continuous cycle of social and economic growth for the estimated five billion people who are not yet realising the benefits of technology globally.
Modelled on the IYF's umbrella programme, "Entra 21", the partnership will focus on a youth empowerment programme, which aims to improve the employability prospects of disadvantaged African youth, aged between 16 and 35, through targeted high-quality information and communications technology (ICT) and other skills training.
Over the past five years, Entra 21 has provided employability training and job placement assistance to 20,000 youth in Latin America and the Caribbean. The joint venture programme is supported by a $1 million grant for technology and training expertise from Microsoft.
Orlando Ayala, senior vice president of the Microsoft Emerging Segments Market Development Group, in his comments on the partnership, said that "it is imperative to accelerate skills development and help employers find qualified candidates to ensure sustained economic growth."
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