Microsoft stuffs $75m into the skills gap

Investment aims to increase access to computer science for young people across the world

Microsoft has put its money where its mouth is on the skills gap by throwing $75m (£48.3m) at the issue.

Last night, Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella announced plans to invest the cash over the next three years in tech projects for youngsters.

Computing-focused initiatives across the world will be the beneficiaries of the cash – especially children from under-represented backgrounds.

Increasing the diversity of employees is high on the agenda for many tech firms including Microsoft. According to its own figures, men make up more than 72 per cent of its global workforce and almost 60 per cent of the total are Caucasian.

Microsoft UK has been vocal on the issue of the skills gap locally, and said this presents a continuing challenge for the channel.

Nadella said getting the workforce of the future into technology is crucial.

"If we are going to solve tomorrow's global challenges, we must come together today to inspire young people everywhere with the promise of technology," he said.

"We can't leave anyone out. We're proud to make this $75m investment in computer science education to create new opportunities for students across the spectrum of diverse youth and help build a tech talent pipeline that will spark new innovations for the future."