KUALA LUMPUR – In an era of rapid digitalization, there are still marginalized communities who need guidance to adapt to technology. Through its Collective Impact program under the Microsoft Skills for Jobs initiative, Microsoft is bridging this gap by providing digital skills to those in need so no one is left behind.

The program was organized in collaboration with local organizations such as Biji-biji Initiative and Mereka Academy, aiming to ensure that Malaysians from all walks of life are not only equipped with digital skills, but also to provide career guidance for these marginalized communities.

To date, the Collective Impact program has successfully equipped over 280,000 individuals with industry-relevant digital skills, enhancing their employability.

In the past year alone, more than 16,000 Malaysians received support in securing employment.

The initiative has also succeeded in facilitating job opportunities for more than 5,600 individuals in the retail, manufacturing, and services sectors.

Beyond that, the Collective Impact Program has helped increase the income of workers in gig-based businesses by 15 per cent. The gig economy has been on the rise in Malaysia, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic which forced many businesses to shut down.

Organized in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) at selected National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI) in Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan, the program aims to not only deliver digital and technical skills, but it also aims to provide employment pathways for participants to thrive in the digital economy.

The program is represented by three key pillars: career guidance, job matching, and continuous learning.

Empowering an inclusive digital economy

To bridge the skills gap and nurture an inclusive digital future, the Collective Impact Program has also been expanded to differently-abled people.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in April 2024 showed that there are a total of 703,287 persons with disabilities (PWD) in Malaysia, and almost 53 per cent of them capable of being employed.

In view of this, a digital skills program for PWDs was organized at the Industrial Training and Rehabilitation Centre (PLPP) in collaboration with Biji-biji Initiative and Mereka Academy,

Project manager, Turisaina Tukiman, shared that 34 people with different abilities participated in the program, which included digital skills and career workshops.

She said participants were given exposure to applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as guidance on how to write resumes and prepare for job interviews.

“This aims to bridge the gap faced by the differently abled who are often marginalized. We do not want them to give up quickly.

“The mentorship and training provided equips them so they are able to also leverage opportunities available in the rapidly growing digital economy,” she told Sinar Harian.

Turisaina further said that in the career workshop, participants were given tips on how to craft an effective resume and Curriculum Vitae (CV), as well as the proper way of preparing for and handling job interviews.

She said the exposure will enable participants to be one step closer to landing their dream jobs.

Nazrul bounces back after a road accident

Nazrul Nafi Nasir, 24, the second of four siblings, sustained spinal injuries in a road accident and is now wheelchair-bound.

The young man then participated in the Collective Impact program under the Microsoft Skills for Jobs initiative while spending a year studying for the Office Management Certificate at the PLPP from June 2022 to June 2023.

According to Nazrul, the program had given him more confidence to face more people.

“Then, I applied to the Project Management Training under Mereka Academy, before being offered a six-month internship at Mereka Academy.”

“At Mereka Academy, I was trained in public speaking, data collection, and assisting social enterprises in programs that help job seekers upskill themselves to get full-time or part-time work,” said Nazrul who is from Temerloh, Pahang.

Wan Nazmi faces disappointment despite applying for a job dozens of times

Wan Nazmi Haziq Wan Hussin, 21, a little person, faced various challenges in getting a job due to social stigma towards the differently-abled.

Like Nazrul, he also attended a Certificate in Office Management course at the Bangi PLPP from June 2022 to June 2023.

Wan Nazmi, who was born in Kuala Lumpur, shared that he had applied for jobs in dozens of companies but didn’t manage to secure a job because employers were worried that he would lack communication skills, independence, and could not work productively.

During his time in PLPP, Nazmi joined the Collective Impact Program to improve his digital skills.

“Alhamdulillah, in February this year I was accepted to work at a clinic and the salary offered was enough to support myself and my family,” he said.

Dina is now employed and able to support her family

Nur Rusydina Binti Rosli (Dina), 25, the eldest of four siblings, admitted that it was difficult to get a job because most of her job applications were rejected by companies that were not confident in her ability to work.

However, as a little person, she was surprised to get a job after participating in the Collective Impact Program.

“Before this, I didn’t know how to use tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but after attending the Microsoft Skills for Jobs workshop, I am now proficient in all these applications,” said Dina who hails from Hulu Terengganu.

According to Dina, the salary she earns is also used to support her family at Hulu Terengganu.

“I am grateful to be given the opportunity to gain these experiences and receive guidance from Microsoft, Biji-biji Initiative, and Mereka Academy. As a result, I was able to communicate well during the interview and was accepted to work as an administrative assistant at a clinic,” she added.

Dina also has a dream of owning her own vehicle to make it easier for her to commute to work every day.

If you are also interested in mastering digital skills and are keen to expand your career opportunities, you can visit:

• Microsoft Skills for Jobs Malaysia – Biji-biji Initiative
• Microsoft AI TEACH – Biji-biji Initiative.

*The article in Bahasa Malaysia was originally published on Sinar Harian