Press release
Partnership to boost skills and employability with cross party endorsement and support from Jobcentre Plus, the CBI and the Work Foundation
9 September, Microsoft: Recognising that business needs to do all it can to help people during this recession, Microsoft UK today launched its campaign to help 500,000 people into work by 2012. Through a combination of a new national apprenticeship scheme, targeted skills and employability training and a new job matching service, Microsoft will work with its partners, NGOs and local government to deliver this ambitious target.
"The last 12 months have been disastrous for many individuals, families and businesses throughout Britain. The government has invested where it can but in reality there's only so much it can do. That's why I asked my team to look at ways we can make a difference as a business," said Gordon Frazer, Managing Director, Microsoft UK. "Today represents the start of a nation-wide programme, which I hope will have a real impact at grassroots level across the UK. Of course we can't wave a magic wand and create jobs for all, and that is why ‘Britain Works' is specifically designed to give people the opportunity to get the skills and support they need to change their lives themselves."
This commitment comes as ONS figures released in August show that unemployment has risen to 2.4 million in the UK. With the CBI forecasting that unemployment will peak at over 3 million (1) and with new unemployment figures due next week, ICM Research, commissioned by Microsoft, indicated further downbeat perceptions of employment prospects, with over a third (35%) of adults in the country having become more worried about losing their job in the last six months. In addition, one in five adults surveyed (21%) are aware of their employer planning to make redundancies in the next 12 months.(2)
Supported by the Work Foundation, spearheaded by Lord Digby Jones and backed by all of the main political parties, the programme will initially offer a range of initiatives focussed around skills and training. Today also marks the national launch of the IT apprenticeship scheme for smaller businesses. Successfully trialled in the Black Country, the aim is to have more than 700 IT apprentices by September 2010 and more than 3,000 over the three year campaign.
Speaking at the launch, Lord Digby Jones said: "Next week, we are expecting the number of people unemployed to top 2.5 million for the first time since 1995. That's a frightening prospect, but I also know that there are thousands of people who do not have the appropriate skills that businesses need in today's IT led economy. Businesses still need these people, and so a significant part of the this campaign will focus on making ‘Skills for Business' training vouchers available to people who want to give themselves an extra chance when going for interviews."
Welcoming today's announcement, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "Digital skills are crucial for the knowledge economy and this campaign will go a long way to helping people benefit from the new opportunities that technology brings.
"The emphasis placed on working in partnership to help those who otherwise may find it difficult to access jobs in the digital economy or to acquire basic digital life skills is another step toward building Britain's future as our global economy changes. This can help take forward Baroness Estelle Morris's recommendations for adults to have access to a diverse range of providers to receive support to learn the basic skills they need to get online, and make a significant contribution to the wider Digital Britain agenda."
George Osborne MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: "I'm delighted that one of the world's leading companies is thinking about how business can help lead Britain into recovery and give the next generation the skills they need to achieve their aspirations."
Dr Vincent Cable MP, Deputy Leader & Shadow Chancellor for the Liberal Democrats, said: "This country badly needs innovative initiatives of the kind Microsoft is suggesting to help the unemployed, especially the young unemployed, into real, skilled, jobs."
Mel Groves, Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus said: "It's important that Government and business work together to help people into jobs where they can make the most of their skills. Jobcentre Plus has worked with Microsoft on the pilot of its IT apprenticeship scheme for smaller businesses in the West Midlands, and we're delighted to see it being rolled out nationally."
Richard Lambert, CBI Director General said: "Britain Works is a great initiative from Microsoft. Digital skills are vital in today's jobs market and the prospect of helping 500,000 people find their way back into the world of work is to be warmly welcomed".
"Skills for Business" training will be primarily delivered through Microsoft partners and NGOs, including UK Online Centres, The Wise Group and Leonard Cheshire Disability. Training is also available for more technical IT skills in addition to the apprenticeship scheme. A new job matching and training service for those engaged in the IT industry, MSEmploy also goes live today and will help match vacancies amongst Microsoft's partner network of 32,000 companies with people seeking employment. Jobcentre Plus is on board to help point job seekers towards the new support available as well.
One person who has already benefited from the pilot phase of the campaign is Richard Corcoran who was made redundant from his job as a scaffolder but has since completed one of the first IT apprenticeships. "It's completely changed my life. A year ago I was working all hours, making just enough to make ends meet and then the recession hit. I lost my job, but the Microsoft apprenticeship scheme I've just completed with Zenos, an IT Academy, has been amazing. I've now got a great job with InnovIT, good money and I get to spend more time with my family."
People looking to make a change in their lives find out more at www.microsoft.com/uk/britainworks or call the Britain Works Helpline on 0800 111 4341.
