Microsoft academy launched to plug digital skills gap
A REGISTERED charity is looking to fill the digital skills gaps with a new initiative that will allow businesses to help the enterprise whilst training their staff.
The Global Diversity Positive Action, which was established in November 2015, empowers people to break the cycle of reoffending by offering alternative activities.
Businesses can get involved by getting staff trained in Microsoft Office qualifications through the affiliated Microsoft Imagine Academy – with all revenues going back into the GDPA charity to help disadvantaged young people.
GDPA has an outreach team managed by Satvir Meen and led by Dominic Mills, who organise a range of workshops including music production, photography, graffiti, literacy, numeracy and positive thinking.Research has shown that the UK faces a shortage of digital skills and that these qualifications are very much in demand by employers running growing businesses.
Once engaged, young people are then given the opportunity to start at the Microsoft Imagine Academy where professional Microsoft Office & Adobe qualifications are offered.
In partnership with Microsoft, GDPA has launched the Microsoft Imagine Academy GDPA also work very closely with the local council, FE/HE sector, Probation, Magistrates, Council and Police.
It is also launching the Wicked Coffee Shop, which is under construction which will help it raise revenues to support more young people.
The GDPA initiative is about to move into premises on 9 Ramsden Street in Huddersfield, with the coffee shop and training academy on the ground floor and a creative hub including a music studio in the basement.
One of the founding members of the organisation, Sharon Jandu, said: “Our vision is to engage with young people not in employment, education or training (NEETS) who are in constant contact with the criminal justice system and our plan is to steer them away from a path of re-offending and criminal activity and turn them into positive contributors to their community.”
