Microsoft partners with Udemy to promote youth employability in MENA

Microsoft is teaming up with online education marketplace Udemy to increase youth employment in the Middle East and Africa (MENA).

Under the agreement, young individuals in the MENA region will have access to Udemy's skills-based courses offered through a network of youth employability portals known as YouthWorks (or Ta3mal in the Arab world) led by Microsoft and regional social initiative Silatech.

The websites offer a variety of tools designed to help the young find and secure good, sustainable jobs. These tools include soft skills and entrepreneurship training, career guidance and mentorships. The YouthWorks platform also links its users to internships and job opportunities.

The MENA portals are available on YouthWorks for the countries of Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

“Udemy is deeply committed to providing people around the world with a path to upward mobility,” Udemy CEO Dennis Yang said. "Through this work with Microsoft in the Middle East and Africa, we’re able to connect a very important region with the vital skills needed for today’s workforce. We’re proud to have this opportunity to further open access to education and career skills."

YouthWorks helped more than 8 million young individuals in the MENA region last year.

“YouthWorks bridges the gap between the skills that youth have and the skills employers want," Jeffrey Avina, director of public affairs and citizenship for Microsoft Middle East and Africa, said. "The partnership with Udemy will enable us to provide even more highly professional courses on YouthWorks, making it an even more effective platform enabling youth to pursue their dreams."