(Dallas, TX, Thursday, October 22, 2020) – Microsoft, in collaboration with the state of Texas, announced new programs and events aimed at addressing the need for digital and technical skills in the workforce. The digital alliance is intended to create new economic opportunity, close equity and digital skills gaps, and prepare Texas’ workforce for the 21st century.

The effort, in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency, will provide digital skills through the Accelerate initiative, which is designed to address economic recovery through skilling both underserved communities and re-skilling the many Americans impacted by COVID-19. In August, the company announced Accelerate: Houston, and now continues its work in Texas with an expanded commitment statewide.

Kate Johnson, president, US, explains the importance of this initiative.

SOUNDBITE #1:

THE EXPANSION OF OUR ACCELERATE SKILLING PROGRAM TO THE STATE OF TEXAS IS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO BRING CRITICAL DIGITAL SKILLS TO TEXANS AND TO HELP SPEED UP LOCAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY. WE HOPE THE PROGRAM WILL BE A TRANSFORMATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND OF COURSE WORKERS ACROSS THE STATE.

SOUNDBITE #2:

WITH SO MANY OUT OF WORK DUE TO THE COVID-NINETEEN CRISIS, EXPANDING ACCESS TO DIGITAL SKILLS WITHIN TEXAS WILL HELP ACCELERATE LOCAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY. THE ACCELERATE TEXAS PROGRAM WILL BRING NEW DIGITAL SKILLS TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, RESKILL MANY OF THOSE WORKERS IMPACTED BY COVID-NINETEEN, AND OF COURSE HELP BUILD A MORE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE.

For more information, visit https://aka.ms/AccelerateTexas.