Microsoft Corporate Citizenship: U.S. Talent Strategy

To help make America and its workforce more competitive, Microsoft advocates long-term improvements in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education with targeted, short-term, high-skilled immigration reforms. Done correctly, this approach can create a more effective national talent strategy to keep jobs in the U.S. by providing skilled employees who can fill these jobs, here, both now and in the future.

Blog Posts

Join Microsoft in the ‘Hour of Code’ campaign
Oct. 14, 2013
The Official Microsoft Blog
Microsoft joined Code.org in announcing a nationwide campaign urging schools, teachers and parents across the country to participate in the “Hour of Code” Initiative.

New evidence to spark the national education conversation
May 30, 2013
Microsoft On The Issues
A new study sponsored by Microsoft Partners in Learning and the Pearson Foundation provides clear evidence linking 21st century skills and student engagement in school with higher quality of work later in life.

Which state will be next to recognize computer science as a math or science credit in high school?
May 15, 2013
Microsoft On The Issues
Governor Jay Inslee signed into law SHB 1472, making AP computer science count as a math or science course in Washington state’s high schools.

Microsoft Supports Introduction of Historic Immigration Bill in the Senate
April 17, 2013
Microsoft On The Issues
The U.S. Senate took a significant first step toward reforming our nation’s broken and outdated immigration system with the introduction of comprehensive legislation by the ‘Gang of 8’ Senators.

Start of April Marks Continued H-1B Uncertainty
March 29, 2013
Microsoft On The Issues
On April 1, employers can start filing applications for H-1B visas for skilled workers that they are looking to hire to fill open jobs here in the U.S.

Paving the Path from Education to Employment
Jan. 28, 2013
Microsoft On The Issues
It’s estimated that 600 million jobs worldwide will need to be created over the next decade to make up for jobs lost in the recent economic crisis.

Organizations Praise Microsoft’s National Talent Strategy Proposal
Dec. 03, 2012
Microsoft On The Issues
20 organizations issued a letter in support of Microsoft’s new National Talent Strategy, which outlines ideas for securing U.S. competitiveness and economic growth.

STEM Education and the Race the Future
Nov. 16, 2012
Microsoft On The Issues
Education experts discuss strategies to strengthen America’s STEM pipeline.

Experts Respond to New Microsoft Proposal for a National Talent Strategy
Sept. 28, 2012
Microsoft On The Issues
Following the announcement of the National Talent Strategy, experts respond to the proposal.

Strengthening American Competitiveness and Creating Opportunity for the Next Generation
Sept. 27, 2012
Microsoft On The Issues
Microsoft Executive Vice President and General Counsel Brad Smith announces the National Talent Strategy.

Speech Transcripts

Brad Smith testimony before the US Senate Judiciary Committee
April 22, 2013
Written Testimony of Brad Smith, General Counsel and Executive Vice President Legal and Corporate Affairs Microsoft Corporation

Brad Smith: Next Steps for Washington’s International Competitiveness
Nov. 12, 2012
Remarks by Brad Smith, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Legal and Corporate Affairs, at the Washington Council on International Trade, Seattle, Wash.

Brad Smith: Education and Immigration Reform: Reigniting American Competitiveness and Economic Opportunity
Sept. 27, 2012
Remarks by Brad Smith, General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Legal and Corporate Affairs, Washington, D.C.

Multimedia

Microsoft engages economists and academics on immigration reform in D.C.
Oct. 02, 2013
Microsoft’s Innovation & Policy Center in Washington, D.C. convened leading economists and academics for an engaging discussion on the economic imperative for immigration reform.

Microsoft hosts D.C. panel of experts on modernizing the teaching profession
Sept. 27, 2013
Leading policy makers, educators and industry leaders gathered to address approaches to modernize and elevate the teaching profession to meet the demands of a globally competitive world at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

Why STEM education and blended learning matter
June 17, 2013
At the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center in Washington, D.C., a record number of attendees, including policy makers, educators, industry leaders and others, gathered to discuss how education innovators design responsive, engaging and academically rigorous programs to prepare students to meet the demands of the U.S. economy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

Microsoft Holds Panel on Extending Computer Science Ed to U.S. Students
April 01, 2013
Approximately 75 leading policy makers and thought-leaders from industry, nonprofit and government engaged in a discussion on how to ensure that U.S. students and schools have what they need to attain the computer science knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to succeed in the global economy.

@Microsoft Conversation on STEM Education
Nov. 15, 2012
Representatives from the Computer Science Teachers Association, IBM and the National Governors Association Discuss the importance of STEM education.

Brookings Institution Event: Reigniting American Competitiveness and Economic Opportunity
Sept. 27, 2012
Brad Smith’s Brookings Institute speech on Microsoft’s National Talent Strategy.

What Others Are Saying

Molding the next generation of computer scientists
May 14, 2013
CNN

Talent, Immigration, and U.S. Economic Competitiveness
May 01, 2013
Academic paper

New Study Highlights Economic Impact of Closing the Skills Gap in Washington State
March 27, 2013
Microsoft On The Issues

Reducing America’s Talent Deficit
Oct. 19, 2012
The Wall Street Journal

Teaching for the Future: Access to AP Classes Widens
Oct. 01, 2012
USA Today

More Praise for Microsoft’s $5 Billion Education-Immigration Idea
Sept. 28, 2012
Politico

Microsoft on STEM Education: Time for a ‘National Talent Strategy’
Sept. 28, 2012
Business Roundtable Today

Lack of Tech Workers Approaching ‘Genuine Crisis’
Sept. 27, 2012
The Hill

Microsoft Pushes Plan to Pay for STEM Education with H-1B Visa Fees
Sept. 27, 2012
National Journal

Microsoft Has Winner on Jobs, Immigration and H1-B Visa Permits
Sept. 27, 2012
The Seattle Times

Microsoft Unveils Immigration Proposal
Sept. 27, 2012
Politico

Microsoft Wants to Create More Homegrown Engineers Using Higher H1-B Fees
Sept. 27, 2012
GeekWire

Additional Microsoft Initiatives Focused on U.S. Job Growth & Training

Fostering Tech Talent in Schools
Sept. 30, 2012
The New York Times
Microsoft’s Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) program

Microsoft Extends Elevate America Veterans Initiative
Nov. 09, 2011
Announces availability of technology skills training and certification packages for veterans.

Microsoft Awards Elevate America Community Initiative Grants
Feb. 03, 2011
Company awards grants to nonprofit organizations to help underserved populations find jobs.

Microsoft Deploys New Programs to Help Veterans Get Jobs
Nov. 10, 2010
Company awards grants to six organizations and boosts efforts to train and support employment of veterans.

Microsoft Invites Organizations to Help Prepare U.S. Veterans for Jobs
May 04, 2010
Microsoft to award cash and software to support programs for veterans.

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