Brussels, 23/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 22 January, Microsoft Europe signed a strategic partnership with the European NGOs European Youth Forum, Telecentre Europe and Junior Achievement, to promote investment in youth, including the private sector. Commissioner for Education Androulla Vassiliou welcomed the initiative, which echoes the Commission's recommendations - building bridges between the world of education and business.
This link should make it possible for young people to develop the skills and knowledge needed for innovation, which is vital for the recovery of growth. “Our aim is to make graduates more inclined to find a job, to promote entrepreneurship and boost innovation (…). Initiatives such as the new 'Youth Spark' programme by Microsoft, which focuses on ways of giving young people the resources they need to envisage a better future, are good examples of partnerships of this kind. It is this transition from school to the world of work we need to look at and I believe that Microsoft's new programme is a decisive step in this direction”, said the commissioner. Vassiliou also pointed out the absolute need for young people to master new technologies (ICT), which are now the key to many jobs. In order to encourage the member states to place ICT at the centre of school and university programmes, the commissioner announced an initiative, “Opening up Education”, which she is to launch very soon, together with Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes.
In signing this strategic partnership with the youth organisations, Microsoft Europe aims to be involved in creating jobs for 30 million young Europeans. In November 2012, Microsoft pledged its support to young people's rights in private businesses by signing a European charter on the quality of placements and apprenticeships. Stressing the gulf which exists between young people with the assets needed to succeed (access to education, skills and opportunities) and those who do not, Microsoft has pledged to reduce this gap by getting involved in dialogue with the political partners in order to free up young people's potential. “Equipping young Europeans with eSkills will set the course for Europe to emerge from recession as a truly united and competitive global player based on a digitally connected society”, said Microsoft's executive vice president, Brad Smith. The Youth Forum also welcomed this partnership, which will focus on youth employment. “Microsoft is sending out a strong signal for the whole of the sector by supporting young people-friendly policies. This is an important precedent and we hope that many others will follow their example”, said the secretary general of the European Youth Forum, Giuseppe Porcaro. (IL/transl.fl)