Microsoft and Prince's Trust join forces

Software giant and charitable organisation aim to get young people back into work through IT skills training

Learning for the future: An initial 700 young people will take part in the scheme

Microsoft has teamed up with The Prince’s Trust Technology Leadership Group to offer IT training to hundreds of unemployed young people in the UK.

It is hoped that the joint venture will help young people get into the workplace through basic training such as learning to use Microsoft Office programmes, how to create an email account and produce a CV.

According to Microsoft’s own research, 77 per cent of all jobs will require IT skills within the next five years.

The scheme, which is part of Microsoft’s Britain Works initiative, aims to support more than 8,000 unemployed young people across the UK over three years. It will initially be rolled out on Prince’s Trust Teams in the North West, East Midlands and Wales, supporting a first batch of 700 16-25-year-olds. Microsoft will also provide the necessary hardware.

Matt Lambert, director of corporate affairs and citizenship at Microsoft said: “As a member of The Prince’s Trust Technology Leadership Group, we are a long-term supporter of the fundraising body’s work. We believe that a project like this is more valuable than ever considering the challenges the recession has caused for young people trying to find work and the strong emphasis employers now place on IT skills.”

Adam Hale, chairman of The Technology Leadership Group for The Prince’s Trust, added: “We are hugely grateful for Microsoft’s support in building on our already successful Team Programme. More than three in four young people on Prince’s Trust programmes go onto work, education or training. Giving young people vital IT skills will only enhance these results.”