Back in June 2021, the Bersama Malaysia MOU was signed between the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) and Microsoft Malaysia with the purpose to drive the training and development efforts for 300,000 Malaysian in 3 years. As part of this MOU, the Biji-biji Initiative was appointed the implementing partner of Bersama Malaysia in July 2022; To enable and provide digital upskilling access to Malaysians through Microsoft Skills for Jobs initiative, equipping Malaysians with industry-relevant digital skills and ultimately enhancing their job searching journey
Through the Microsoft Skills for Jobs, Malaysians learners can gain access to essential digital upskilling content for free. Upon completing 10 hours of online learning, learners will receive a certificate of completion from Microsoft and HRD Corp, certifying their proficiency in navigating and utilising digital tools to execute day-to-day tasks. Then, learners will be provided with career readiness support to assist them with searching for the jobs or opportunities of their dreams.
To date, Microsoft Malaysia together with Biji-biji Initiative, alongside our ecosystem partners have collectively upskilled over 54,000 Malaysians, provided career readiness support to more than 11,000 Malaysians to be ready for the workforce, and ultimately helped 3,100 Malaysians in getting new employment or increased source of income in the digital industry.
In recognition of the achievements thus far, Microsoft Malaysia and Biji-biji Initiative express its utmost gratitude to the many ecosystem partners and impact partners (namely, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), PERKESO, Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Seek Asia, and various Malaysian Universities) that supported the initiative; unlocking and enabling Malaysians of their communities and networks to be part of the initiative.
As part of this program, the Microsoft Skills for Jobs Malaysia alongside its partners are also committed to building and nurturing digital capabilities for Malaysians among the underserved communities. Therefore, a physical digital upskilling and career readiness program, called the Collective Impact Program was designed and implemented to empower and enhance the digital capacity and employability of the underserved communities (such as the B40 and People with Disabilities (PWD) communities).
Since October 2022, this Collective Impact Program has impacted 459 community members who are beneficiaries of 8 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) serving underserved communities around Malaysia. Through this program, community members have improved their digital competencies by 94% across various digital tools such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, etc. What’s more meaningful is that 27% of these community members have earned an increased income after being digitally upskilled.
Microsoft remains dedicated to empowering individuals with the skills necessary to succeed in the digital era. With these shared goals in mind among our partners, it gives Microsoft Malaysia and Biji-biji Initiative the opportunity further our commitment to enable and impact more Malaysians to learn and adapt to the digital economy where opportunities are in abundance.
To conclude, on behalf of Malaysians that have benefitted and those that will benefit from the Microsoft Skills for Jobs Initiative, Microsoft Malaysia and Biji-biji Initiative would like to express our utmost gratitude once again to all our ecosystem partners, impact partners, NGO representatives, and supporters that have been part of this meaningful journey.
To find out more about this initiative, visit https://www.biji-biji.com/microsoft/skills-for-jobs-malaysia/
