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As a member of the Global Education Coalition and partner of the GSA, the tech company is supporting the (TESDA) UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre in the Philippines with digital skills’ training. Since November last year, over 17,000 learners in the country have signed up to and more than 6,500 have already completed the training.

Designed for anyone with basic literacy skills to learn the fundamentals of using digital technologies, such as a smartphone, PC or e-reader, the course is available through the Microsoft Learn platform and has been integrated in TESDA’s learning management system. It equips learners with the knowledge to utilize common computer applications and devices to prepare digital content, collaborate virtually, complete online transactions and communications, access information online through the world wide web, and more.

According to Kimberly G. Bautista, a trainer with TESDA’s Women’s Centre in Manilla, digital literacy is a key skill that trainees need to have to be competitive in the labour market and be part of an increasingly digital economy and society.

“An employee that lacks digital literacy skills is likely to be less productive [whereas] employees with digital literacy skills can also connect and collaborate more effectively, said Bautista. “These skills can also prevent generation gaps in a diverse workforce,” she added.

Learners aged 18 - 24 years old account for over half (55%) of those who have completed the course so far, followed by 25 - 34-year-olds (28%). A social media campaign on TESDA’s Facebook page helped to increase visibility and spread the word about the course. It will be relaunched this year to boost enrolment of other learner groups.

One trainee of the Digital Literacy course, Maria Cecilia P. Ong, said it had introduced different applications, allowing her to build on her existing knowledge of Microsoft Technologies. 

“It further enhanced my digital literacy skills and [I can] apply the new learnings in my event management work, especially in client presentations such as budget analysis, creative presentations, and other documentation work,” said Ong.

Equipped with new techniques for efficiency and productivity, Ong added that she now feels “more confident and creative in using the available technology" in her work. “It gives me that competitive edge among the other professionals in the event industry,” she said.

Microsoft is one of the founding members of the launched by UNESCO in July 2020. The mission of the GSA is to support 10 million young people by 2029 to develop digital and 21^st century skills to increase their employability and resilience in a changing labour market, through partners’ free, online skills’ development programmes.  

• More on UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition