Microsoft Arabia unveils Microsoft ITCAN Academy to empower Saudi youth for IT jobs

Microsoft Arabia, in collaboration with several Saudi government and civil institutions and other relevant organisations, unveiled a novel initiative aimed at empowering the youth population of the Kingdom by building their skill sets, create new jobs and boost the Saudi information technology sector.

The landmark "Microsoft ITCAN" training academy, specialized in the IT industry, is regarded as the largest of its kind initiative ever in the Saudi IT sector, and aims to strengthen information technology education, create new job opportunities for the young Saudis and meet the local skilled workforce requirements.

The KSA-based Microsoft ITCAN academy is scheduled to be inaugurated in June. It will provide a set of various training programmes, featuring a diverse portfolio of advanced information technology training material, tailored for different levels from beginners to professionals including a series of high profile workshops.

"The Microsoft ITCAN Academy is in line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, urging to strengthen the ongoing efforts to enhance job opportunities for the Saudi youth, and in turn, contributing to overall social and economic welfare of the Kingdom. Microsoft ITCAN’s applications and programmes have been designed in line with the macro objectives of Saudi development, and all the initiatives are tailored to create jobs opportunities for the youth," said Mohamed Al-Omair, Strategic Initiatives Manager at Microsoft ITCAN.

"Microsoft Arabia’s sustained efforts to establish strategic partnerships with major organisations paved the way to develop local potential, achieve solid integration between the private and public sectors, and help create the mechanisms needed to evolve training programmes for our youth, so that they can strengthen their IT skills and contribute to the workforce," added Al-Omair.

In the coming months, Microsoft Arabia aspires to join hands with various government authorities, local development entities, senior representatives of the private sector as well as leading local civil society institutions, to activate the channels that underpin the objectives of the Academy which strives to provide training for youth, elevate their potential, and equip them with the skills required to achieve a significant leap in their professional careers.

"Microsoft ITCAN’s programmes are aimed at developing the individual technology skills of the Saudi youth, which will be achieved through world-class training programmes and systems adopted by Microsoft. As the world’s leading software development company, we take into account the need to impart the right training for the Saudi youth so that they can keep pace with the rapid growth in IT, which is expected to open the horizon for several new job opportunities for qualified professionals in the next five years," said Ahmad Alafaliq, CEO of Youth Programs and Employability at Dale Carnegie Institute, which will be committed to providing the required training.

"We have chosen a special mechanism to create the Academy’s training programmes, determine the objectives of its curricula and the training methods used, as well as the trainers and teachers selected. This was based on the findings of a research conducted by Microsoft Arabia to monitor the requirements of the IT sector, and highlight the employment gaps which can be filled by qualified young talent, by equipping them with the needed cutting-edge skill sets and knowledge tools that help them to perform their jobs thoroughly and meet its requirements and responsibilities. This eventually leads to boosting job opportunities, in a sector that is lacking young potentials and capabilities," added Alafaliq.

The first training courses and certifications provided by Microsoft ITCAN academy will commence in June. Also in the first year are planned a series of orientation workshops that will build the skill sets of IT professionals and beginners.

Microsoft Arabia announced that potential candidates can apply for the first training course through its dedicated portal (www.microsoft.com\saudi\itcan), before Wednesday, June 8, 2011.