JEDDAH: Microsoft Arabia, in collaboration with several Saudi government and civil institutions and other relevant organizations, unveiled a novel initiative aimed at empowering the youth population of the Kingdom by building their skill sets, create new jobs and boost the Saudi information technology sector. The landmark "Microsoft ITCAN" Training Academy, specialized in the IT industry, is regarded as the largest of its kind initiative ever in the Saudi IT sector, and aims to strengthen information technology education, create new job opportunities for the young Saudis and meet the local skilled workforce requirements. The Saudi-based Microsoft ITCAN academy is scheduled to be inaugurated in June. It will provide a set of various training programmes, featuring a diverse portfolio of advanced information technology training material, tailored for different levels from beginners to professionals including a series of high profile workshops. "The Microsoft ITCAN Academy is in line with the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, urging to strengthen the ongoing efforts to enhance job opportunities for the Saudi youth, and in turn, contributing to overall social and economic welfare of the Kingdom. Microsoft ITCAN's applications and programmes have been designed in line with the macro objectives of Saudi development, and all the initiatives are tailored to create jobs opportunities for the youth," said Mohamed Al-Omair, Strategic Initiatives Manager at Microsoft ITCAN. "Microsoft Arabia's sustained efforts to establish strategic partnerships with major organizations paved the way to develop local potential, achieve solid integration between the private and public sectors, and help create the mechanisms needed to evolve training programmes for our youth, so that they can strengthen their IT skills and contribute to the workforce," added Al-Omair. In the coming months, Microsoft Arabia aspires to join hands with various government authorities, local development entities, senior representatives of the private sector as well as leading local civil society institutions, to activate the channels that underpin the objectives of the Academy which strives to provide training for youth, elevate their potential, and equip them with the skills required to achieve a significant leap in their professional careers. "Microsoft ITCAN's programmes are aimed at developing the individual technology skills of the Saudi youth, which will be achieved through world-class training programmes and systems adopted by Microsoft,” said Ahmad Alafaliq, CEO of Youth Programs and Employability at Dale Carnegie Institute, which will be committed to providing the required training.
