WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mayor Vincent Gray announced on Jan. 25 a wide-ranging strategic alliance with Microsoft Corporation that will bring increased technology access and computer-skills training to District residents, provide new resources for teachers and students and implement development initiatives aimed at helping District-based small businesses.
"We operate in a 21st-century economy, and the demand for digital skills has never been higher," said Mayor Gray. "This strategic relationship between the District government and Microsoft is an important step towards helping our citizens expand their employment opportunities and providing pioneering technology to our classrooms – paving the way for future generations of District residents with the technological skills that will make them attractive to employers."
As part of the first-in-the-nation Digital Alliance, the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES) will provide training on basic technology tools to help ensure that participating residents can develop the digital skills required for many of today's entry-level jobs.
Additionally, D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) will partner with Microsoft to provide District teachers with increased access to technology resources to bolster their ability to teach vital technological skills to students. Economic Impact and Job Creation The Digital Alliance will initially focus on two aspects of job creation within the District: workforce development and capacity building for District-based small businesses.
DOES will identify candidates with gaps in digital literacy and close those gaps by exposing residents to digital basics through Microsoft's Digital Literacy Curriculum. DOES and Microsoft will also provide residents with training on Microsoft productivity software. Upon completion of a training program, many residents will receive a certificate of technology proficiency that can be added to their résumés. Microsoft will also provide significant partner support and engagement as well as $100,000 in business-development resources to 10 local Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs).
To learn more about the services offered as part of this unique partnership, visit http://www.microsoft.com/government/en-us/news/Digital Alliance.aspx.
