Microsoft concluded a nine-day Train the Trainer (TOT) workshop to equip underserved youth with future-ready skills. The capacity building workshop was held at the software company’s corporate office in Colombo, engaging 45 participants in a comprehensive, multi-day distributive learning process that harnessed a curated online learning platform called Future Ready ASEAN. 

The workshop was part of a joint initiative by Microsoft and ASEAN Foundation to reach 46,000 underserved youth and equip them with digital skills to enable them to thrive in the fourth industrial revolution. The initiative, or ASEAN Digital Innovation program, was extended to Sri Lanka due to its close proximity to the ASEAN member states. 

Future Ready ASEAN is an online platform developed in partnership between the ASEAN Foundation and Microsoft, as part of the ASEAN Digital Innovation program. 
The target participants included master trainers from Sarvodaya Fusion and Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) – Ministry of Higher Education. In continuation of the workshop series, instructors from the Ministry of Education will be subsequently trained via the online platform.

STEMUp Educational Foundation designed the curricula while Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals conducted the workshop with support from Sarvodaya Fusion and SLIATE.

Janakie Karunaratne, Philanthropy Lead, Microsoft Sri Lanka shared: “At Microsoft, we strongly believe that technology can be a force for social and economic inclusion. By equipping young people with digital skills, we're increasing their economic opportunities while also addressing the talent shortage faced by industries as they digitally transform. We are committed to equipping underserved youth for the future of work.”

The ASEAN Digital Innovation program has been rolled out in seven other countries apart from Sri Lanka: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Local partners from each of the seven countries were brought in to deliver TOTs for over 500 educators. 

The TOT is a first-class professional learning opportunity for qualified trainers who will be providing training and capacity-building assistance. At the conclusion of the workshop in Sri Lanka, Microsoft announced that it will onboard 5,000 youth to its online learning module.  

Future Ready ASEAN is structured along four learning tracks that lead to a total of 12 completion badges. At the end of each level of each track, students can download a completion badge. Once the advanced level has been achieved for a given track, students are invited to pursue additional online courses leading to Microsoft's industry-recognized certifications.

To learn more about the ASEAN Digital Innovation program visit, https://futurereadyasean.org/. To find out more about Microsoft Philanthropies’ initiatives in Asia, visit https://news.microsoft.com/apac/category/philanthropies-asia/.