{"id":762519,"date":"2022-12-01T10:10:15","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T09:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pulse.microsoft.com\/?p=762519"},"modified":"2023-02-03T15:12:14","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T14:12:14","slug":"fa2-how-microsoft-learn-is-helping-students-to-bridge-the-technical-skills-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pulse.microsoft.com\/en\/skill-forward-en\/education-en\/fa2-how-microsoft-learn-is-helping-students-to-bridge-the-technical-skills-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"How Microsoft Learn is helping students to bridge the technical skills gap"},"content":{"rendered":"

The role of educators in society is to empower the next generation for the road ahead. In today\u2019s classrooms, that means equipping students with the skills to allow them to thrive in a digital future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Already, digital literacy is an integral part of curriculums across Europe, from primary school upwards. For higher education\u00a0 providers, however, there is a need to prepare students for the realities of life <\/span>beyond<\/span><\/i> the education system \u2013 to avail them with technical skills that equip them to succeed in the digital workplace.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But there is evidence that skills aren\u2019t always being taught. As an example, <\/span>149\u202fmillion\u202fnew jobs will be\u202fadded to the\u202ftechnology sector\u202fby 2025.1 <\/sup><\/span>If the skills shortfall cannot be fixed, it is estimated that 4.3\u202fmillion\u202fof those could be\u202fleft unstaffed\u202fby 2030.2 <\/sup><\/span>Ensuring that they are filled is clearly a priority, and the benefits of doing so, substantial. In fact, $8.3\u202ftrillion\u202fin increased\u202fproductivity could\u202fbe added to the\u202fglobal economy by\u202f2030 as a direct\u202fresult of investing\u202fbroadly in the skills\u202fof the future for\u202fthe current and\u202fnext\u202fgeneration\u202fworkforce.3<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Microsoft Learn<\/span><\/span><\/a> has been created with this goal in mind<\/span>: <\/span>to <\/span>give<\/span> educators<\/span>, <\/span>institutions <\/span>and students <\/span>in higher education<\/span><\/span>\u00a0access<\/span> to free <\/span>resources <\/span>that<\/span> bridge the skills gap and <\/span>prepare<\/span> students <\/span>for the digital workplace<\/span>s of the future.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Certifi<\/span>ed technical skills that meet employer expectations<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Digital transformation is clearly impacting <\/span>the vast majority of<\/span> organizations across all sectors<\/span> requiring technical digital skills in their workforce\/teams to ensure their future success. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It makes sense then that higher education institutions should provide their students with opportunities to acquire these technical skills before they finish their education and find themselves in the real-world digital marketplace.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

91% of hiring managers u<\/span>se<\/span> certifications as a criterion when evaluating candidates.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A core focus <\/span>of<\/span> Microsoft Learn is <\/span>to<\/span> provid<\/span>e<\/span> industry-recognized <\/span><\/span>Microsoft Certification<\/span>s<\/span><\/span><\/a> that students can use to prove their technical know-how to employers. <\/span>These certifications <\/span><\/span>start with foundational skills, but additional topics are covered ranging from Azure to AI, to data analytics and cybersecurity<\/span>, <\/span>so <\/span>students<\/span> can acquire the technical skills <\/span>they\u2019<\/span>ll need to perform industry roles<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ready-to-teach curriculum that <\/span>integrates seamlessly with existing degree paths<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

A common blocker to the adoption of new curricula in classrooms is the perception that it will detract from existing syllabus. Microsoft Learn has been created in consultation with educators, institutions and students, so that it works <\/span>alongside<\/span><\/i> existing degree paths, rather than against or at odds with them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE)<\/span><\/a> provides everything educators and institutions need to start introducing technical skills into existing degree paths. There are ready-to-teach <\/span>materials, tools and resources<\/span><\/a> that educators can easily integrate into their existing curriculum.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is also access to self-paced learning paths and virtual learning days to equip educators to develop the skills needed to teach technical, hands-on curriculum. And for additional support, there is a training program manager that provides support for educators getting started with Microsoft Learn, as well as access to Microsoft Experts and a lively community where educators can share ideas and expand their networks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n