Accelerate: Houston – Microsoft leads digital alliance with the city to create skills for high-demand jobs

Microsoft and the City of Houston lead coalition of partners to close the digital skills gap and build a more inclusive workforce

Microsoft and the City of Houston are expanding our groundbreaking alliance to innovate in big data, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy.

With support of the Houston Mayor’s office, this collaboration of civic, learning, and corporate partners is intended to create new economic opportunity, close equity and digital skills gaps, and prepare a workforce for the 21st century.

“Microsoft launched the Accelerate program at a time when closing the digital divide has never been more important,” said Kate Johnson, president of Microsoft US. “We’re thrilled to be joining Mayor Turner and an impressive group of partners in this effort to expand access to in-demand digital skills—and close digital skills gaps widened by COVID-19—through Accelerate: Houston.”

Microsoft is backing the effort with more than $1 million in investments toward programs that support social entrepreneurship and other initiatives in partnership with Houston’s Innovation District at the Ion.

“Houston is home to some of the world’s most important medical breakthroughs and as the Energy Capital of the world, we’re leading the energy transition into a more sustainable future,” said Mayor Turner. “Microsoft shares my vision to make Houston the Smart City of the future and a leader among U. S. cities as we develop excellence in innovation, AI and digital equity.”

Accelerate: Houston is the latest US implementation of Microsoft’s global skills initiative, an ambitious plan to help 25 million people worldwide acquire new digital skills by the end of the year.

Microsoft Partners

Jacky Wright

Chief Digital Officer, Microsoft US

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