The Trust for the Americas, Microsoft and EY join efforts to reduce labor inequality in Colombia

• This alliance is part of the strategies within the framework of the POETA DigiSpark Project
• Participants of POETA DigiSpark in Bogotá will receive training in skills that will facilitate their access to economic opportunities, through the EY Future Skills Workshops curriculum

Bogota Colombia. - After the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment and underemployment rates increased in countries like Colombia. Its most vulnerable populations face difficulties in accessing training options, especially those that involve digital and technical skills. Access to these opportunities is key to revitalizing economies and increasing the competitiveness of people, particularly those looking to get their first job.

In this sense, The Trust for the Americas is committed to the development and professional growth of people and, therefore, offers them the possibility of strengthening their skills and knowledge. Hand in hand with Microsoft Philanthropies and in association with a network of local partners, The Trust implements the POETA DigiSpark Project, which focuses on providing training in digital, technical and life skills, in order to facilitate access to economic opportunities and schools in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.

The Trust for the Americas, as a regional NGO, strengthens ties between the public and private sectors to impact the lives of millions of people. Therefore, in 2022, EY joined the POETA DigiSpark initiative to offer Future Skills Workshops courses and help beneficiaries acquire the necessary skills for employability. Through the EY Future Skills Workshops content series, POETA DigiSpark contributes to strengthening the capacities of our network of local partners so that they, in turn, are better positioned to promote 21st century skills among teachers and vulnerable communities. .

In Colombia, this alliance has the support of the local partner Fundación Laudes Infantis, which will allow face-to-face training for participants of this POETA center. In turn, hundreds of more people will benefit through training, both face-to-face and virtual, that Laudes Infantis will implement throughout 2023.

During the presentation event, Linda Eddleman, CEO at The Trust for the Americas, highlighted that "The essence of our work at The Trust for the Americas is to create solid alliances to promote the transformation of the communities of the region through inclusion economic and social. Training in digital skills and the use of technology allow people to prepare and train for work or boost their ventures. This is a very successful work model that we have been developing for 25 years and Colombia has been and is one of the countries where our impact and success have been proven since we began our work in the region."

These workshops will be led by volunteers who work at EY, who will train people over 16 years of age, especially the unemployed and/or underemployed, in digital, technical and life skills. This will make it easier for them to compete in the labor market, whether it is in the search for a job, a promotion, an internship, as well as in the creation or strengthening of a business, or when starting or advancing in their formal education.

"At EY we are very excited about this collaboration that allows us to reach vulnerable communities with the knowledge, experience and skills of our professionals, and thus promote the development of talent among young people and women in search of opportunities, facilitating their connection to the labor market. . We need to promote quality education in the country, which transforms the lives of future generations. This alliance with Microsoft and The Trust for the Americas allows us to accelerate the multiplier effect of our EY Ripples corporate responsibility program, to fulfill our purpose of building a better business world,” says Beatriz Carmona, Lead Partner of Technology Consulting at EY for North Latin America.

On the other hand, Almudena Rivas, Director of Social and Productive Development of the Laudes Infantis Foundation, highlights that for 11 years the Foundation has had an alliance with the Trust for The Americas - OEA, and with Microsoft through the DigiSpark project. Progress has been made in creating educational and economic opportunities through technology for young people and adults in vulnerable conditions, who live in the south of Bogotá. Almudena is pleased that EY has joined this effort, contributing its catalog of short and asynchronous courses, whose contents clarify and strengthen, in a didactic and accessible way, those skills that are required for the jobs of the future.

Rivas shares that at Laudes Infantis they are excited to be able to count on a group of EY volunteers this Friday, February 24, who will develop some of these workshops in person at the POETA centers in Ciudad Bolívar and Usme. “There we will wait for them with open arms to continue working to generate more and better conditions for these young people and women from the south of Bogotá,” shares Almudena.

 The Trust for the Americas, through the POETA DigiSpark Project, since 2013, has directly trained 74,838 people aged 16 and over and teachers in digital, technical and life skills. In addition to facilitating 27,287 economic and educational opportunities.

For more information visit: https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/programs/POETA/poeta-digispark

Facebook: The Trust for the Americas   Twitter: @Trust4Americas  

About The Trust for the Americas:

The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit entity affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunity, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique alliance with the OAS allows us to have access to decision makers within the region. This fundamental partnership is the foundation through which we create strong networks in all member states and the private sector. Through the development of our region, The Trust continues to contribute to overcome challenges through strategic alliances that promote cooperation for sustainable results.

About EY:

EY exists to build a better business world, helping to create long-term value for its clients, its people and society at large, as well as building trust in the capital markets. Through data and technology, EY's diverse and inclusive teams, located in more than 150 countries, deliver confidence through audit and help clients grow, transform and operate. EY's multidisciplinary approach across audit, consulting, legal, strategy, tax and transactions empowers EY teams to ask better questions to find new answers to the complex issues facing our world today.

 About Laudes Infantis:

It was established as a non-profit entity in 1999, with the initial purpose of preventing the permanent exit of children and young people to the streets of Bogotá D.C. After its long history in the field, Laudes Infantis generates actions aimed at strengthening the social fabric, potentiating the capacities and abilities of its members, generating positive references, among young people and adults, so that boys and girls can find suitable role models. , guaranteeing them a better future.