Free globally accredited courses available to enhance digital skills for COVID-19 economy

Microsoft, LinkedIn and GitHub are combining the best of their resources to support unemployed Malaysians gain the digital skills needed for potential jobs. Through the Global Skills Initiative (GSI), people worldwide will have free access to globally accredited training content on Microsoft Learn, LinkedIn Learning, and GitHub Learning Lab. GSI has identified top ten in-demand jobs which include: data analyst, IT admin and software developer.

As the second bout of lockdown was announced, the alarm bells have sounded once again on an already faltering economy, which heightens concerns on the alarming levels of unemployment worldwide. While the economy is predicted to slowly recover post-pandemic, the reality is that the jobs that become available then, will require more digital skills than before. 

The goal of the Global Skills Initiative is to help 25 million people worldwide who have lost their job due to COVID-19 to re-skill for in-demand jobs and the initative will be grounded in three areas of activity:

1. The use of data to identify in-demand jobs and the skills needed to fill them;

2. Free access to learning paths and content to help people develop the skills these positions require;

3. Low-cost certifications and free job-seeking tools to help people who develop these skills pursue new jobs.

“Everyone, especially those from the hardest hit industries and most vulnerable communities—will need to learn new skills to rejoin the workforce prepared for in-demand roles in a more digital economy and there’s no time to waste,” said a representative from Microsoft Malaysia. “Partnerships with nonprofits and governments will be critical to reaching those most in need to have a greater collective impact.”

Microsoft also encourages individuals who currently have a job but have been thinking of up-skilling or re-skilling themselves to look through the available courses as this opportunity is also for them.

To find out more about GSI and for the full list of free courses, visit: