Dive Brief:
- A new partnership between Microsoft and OpenClassrooms aims to train students in the U.S., France and the U.K. for artificial intelligence jobs. The collaboration will push to recruit 1,000 students for a "masters-level online program" intended to upskill learners for high-tech roles, according to a news release.
- Combining OpenClassrooms' programming with content from Microsoft, the training will include project-based tasks tailored to help talent meet businesses' AI needs.
- OpenClassrooms guaranteed students will get a job within six months of completing the program — or they will receive a full refund. The master's-level diploma is accredited throughout Europe, but OpenClassroom is seeking U.K. and U.S. accreditation, the statement said.
Dive Insight:
Last year, Microsoft announced it was to be a founding member — along with Boeing, McKinsey & Company and others — of the Rework America Business Network, an alliance aimed at "[accelerating] the development and adoption of innovative hiring and training practices."
Its most recent partnership with OpenClassroom is just the latest in a laundry list of organizations partnering to provide upskilling solutions for employers struggling with a talent drought. Microsoft partnered with Boeing and Accenture to create the Internet of Learning Consortium to upskill workers, and another partnership between Harvard Business Publishing an Degreed created a platform to allow employers to customize coursework and employees to share accomplishments and informative content with co-workers. Microsoft also paired up with freelancer platform Upwork recently to help employers source freelancers and better access their skill sets.
As more employers across industries realize the potential of AI to improve efficiency and streamline job functions, HR might need to consider how to source or cultivate talent with data science and machine learning skill sets. Looking to third-party upskilling solutions could enable them to better meet employer demand for these workers.
