Prepping youths for greater employability and entrepreneurship in a digital economy
Bangkok – 10 February 2015 – Microsoft (Thailand) Limited moved forward in expanding YouthSpark, the company’s global initiative to help young people worldwide realize their potential and seize opportunity. The program is going into its third year in Thailand with the aim of equipping 580 youths and 100 trainers nationwide with ICT skills. Through education reform and increased access to technology and tools for youth innovators, the company hopes to enhance employability and entrepreneurship skills for greater competitiveness in the context of the digital economy.
Microsoft’s YouthSpark program is open to youths aged 18-24 who either are entrepreneurs or have business ideas they would like to implement. In the third year of YouthSpark, Microsoft will continue to work closely with long-term partners the Research Center of Communication and Development Knowledge Management (CCDKM) and the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) to provide 29 ICT trainings for youth-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and 5 ‘train the trainer’ sessions in 20 provinces throughout the country. An online learning website will also be launched and promoted in each session as a supporting knowledge bank for participants and other aspiring entrepreneurs. The ICT trainings will familiarize the participants with relevant knowledge and skill sets for e-commerce and e-business, as well as basic coding to promote logical problem solving, creativity, and analytical skills, all essential life skills for 21st century.
Microsoft Public Sector Director Mr. Somsak Mukdavannakorn revealed, “Since our establishment in Thailand 20 years ago, Microsoft has been committed to improving the lives of Thais through our vision ‘We Make 70 Million Lives Better.’ Two years of YouthSpark have benefited 32,000 youths nationwide. The program is closely aligned with the Promotion and Innovation and the Society and Knowledge pillars of the digital economy plan – building knowledge and empowering the digital workforce, and particularly innovative SMEs, through skills training. We are looking forward to training a total of 680 youth entrepreneurs this year, 100 of whom will become local trainers organizing training sessions for others in their communities. By the end of 2015, benefits from this program will reach 16,000 Thais nationwide.”
“This year, we have added an additional component to our programming, the ‘ICT Incubator Program,’ wherein PDA and CCDKM will identify 15 potential businesses to incubate, mentor and assist in helping them achieve success”
For more information
More information can be found at www.microsoft.com/youthsparkhub and http://www.wespeakcode.net/default.aspx
About Microsoft Thailand
Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited aims to Make 70 Million Lives Better by enabling Thai people and businesses to realize their full potential through technology that transforms the way people work, play, and communicate. We offer software, services, and devices that deliver new opportunities, greater convenience, and enhanced value to people’s lives. Working with communities and the Thai government, Microsoft and its partners are committed to working closely with organizations and people across Thailand to fully harness the power of technology and innovation.
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For more information, press only:
Pornravee Suramool
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Thailand
Tel: 0-2627-3501 ext. 110 or 081-735-9213
E-mail: [email protected]