Microsoft's Unlimited Potential for smart women

Microsoft Malta, in collaboration with the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology (MIIIT), has launched a free training programme leading to Microsoft certification for women.

The initiative was launched by IT Minister Austin Gatt at a press briefing at the Hilton Malta.

Veronika Prikrylova, Microsoft general manager for market development in central and Eastern Europe, pointed out that in general, ICT is perceived as more of an opportunity for a male audience rather than female. Through its Unlimited Potential programme, Microsoft is endeavouring to improve the participation of women in the ICT workforce.

It is believed that six out of every ten Maltese women are economically inactive. Given the ever-increasing demand for human resources in ICT in Malta, Microsoft has developed a series of courses to build and enhance information and communication technology skills through different levels of certifications and different streams of specialisation.

This programme builds on the collaboration with the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology, where together with Microsoft it started off from the basics to bridge the digital divide with the introduction of community technology learning centres (CTLCs) in several localities around Malta.

"The free specialist ICT training course will empower women with new skills as well as enhance their value in the labour market by becoming certified in areas for which there is a huge demand," said Pierre Mallia, country manager, Microsoft Malta Ltd.

"Despite enormous strides in women's participation in the economy, the ICT industry still shows a low level of female participation. ICT itself presents an opportunity to change this. In Malta we have already seen women utitlising teleworking and ICTs to rejoin the workforce," concluded Mr Mallia.

The first basic course for those with little or no ICT knowledge is the Microsoft Digital Literacy Certification (DLC). This course provides basic computer knowledge and skills, enabling the use of a computer in everyday life with confidence.

On completion of the first phase, participants can gain more in-depth knowledge by getting certified in Technical Stream, Development Strea, or Business Stream.

Further details and online applications can be obtained by visiting www.thesmartisland.gov.mt or call 2125 5495 by March 28.