IBM collaborates with 30 organisations to upskill workforce for tech roles

At the fifth edition of VivaTech — Europe’s biggest startup and tech event — IBM chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna proudly announced a new collaboration with 30 global organisations, including governments, community colleges, non-profits, and employment agencies, to help underserved populations upskill and and boost their employability.

“Closing the global skills gap is one of the most pressing issues of our time,” says Krishna. “That is why I’m proud of these collaborations, which will help people of all backgrounds acquire the skills they need to thrive in a fast-changing global economy.”

How will IBM do it?

Organisations will be granted access to IBM Skills Build, an online learning programme that offers 10,000 courses to 141 countries. Veterans, women, minorities, refugees and unemployed young adults are main targets set to reap rewards.

The programme was designed to empower these job seekers within just three to six months. Upon completion, IBM said they will be equipped with professional workplace readiness and technical skills, in addition to earning badges and credentials recognised by the market, in local languages, and with personal mentoring.

Additionally, staffing firm ManpowerGroup will strategise ways to connect these skilled candidates to career opportunities. 

ManpowerGroup’s Experis brand are global leaders in IT resourcing. They will provide data-driven insight on the technology roles employers are seeking to fill. With this insight, talents will be developed and learners from these organisations will be connected directly to these openings. 

“70% of employers can’t find the skills they need for roles like data analytics, software development and remote customer service,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup chairman and CEO. 

“The only way we can address this acute talent shortage is through partnerships across business, government and education. That’s why we are pleased to partner with companies like IBM who share our mission to create a more skilled and diverse workforce, so everyone is able to have a more equitable share of prosperity.”

The collaboration will support IBM’s ultimate goal to upskill and reskill 500,000 people by the end of this year through the IMB SkillsBuild programme.

Preparation for high-tech careers

Future-focused positions are likely to include cloud and infrastructure, cybersecurity, data analysis, digital workspace and enterprise applications. ManpowerGroup’s Talent Agents will also be at every learner’s disposal – offering assessment, coaching and personalised support. 

“We are seeing an increased demand for new skills needed in future tech jobs like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud computing,” says IDC VP, Social, Environmental Responsibility and Ethics Curtis Price.

“IDC believes that the partnerships IBM has announced are essential to helping meet the demands for tech jobs of the future. However, the partnership with ManpowerGroup is a perfect complement to IBM SkillsBuild’s mission of providing training to underrepresented groups as it provides meaningful career opportunities to badged IBM SkillsBuild participants.” 

The alliance is set to span 12 countries and will include: ActionAid Italia Onlus, The American Indian Foundation Trust, Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development, Argencon, Bay Area Community College Consortium (BACCC), Bruxelles Formation, Cité des Métiers, CSC Academy, CSRBOX, Edunet Foundation, Fondazione Human Age Institute, Fundación Konecta, Junior Achievement Americas, Junior Achievement Italy, Laboratoria, Mission Locale de Paris, Reacha Foundation, Tata Community Initiatives Trust, The Royal Alberta College, Technifutur®, Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, Training Point, Turkish Industry & Business Association (TÜSİAD), Unnati Foundation, Uvi Jagriti Sansthan, VetsinTech, Jeevitam-VSS Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd, Workforce Development Inc., and 60 000 Rebonds.