Senior director of Citizenship and Public Affairs-Microsoft Akhtar Badshah said "There is a growing opportunity divide world over. Youth, belonging to marginalized sections of society, should be given special skill-based training to explore their potential and thus bridging this gap".
Akhtar who was present at the occasion to open the second 'YuthSpark' centre in the country, aimed at providing Communication and skill development training for deprived youths.
He said "Even the literate people are not getting good opportunities these days. So, our 'YouthSpark' center are designed to empowered marginalized youth to change their world and ignite sparks within them".
"We already have 'YouthSpark' Centres in around 110 countries. We have plans to impart training to 1.5 lakh youth in the country under the programme", he added.
"Microsoft is not going around and selecting beneficiaries directly. But, we have tie-ups with good NGOs to identify deserved beneficiaries and create awareness among them and their parents about the need of special employability and entrepreneurship trainings," said Akhtar.
He also ensured that a significant step in setting up such facilities was to identify the right partners in each region and also that through such centres, the company would train around 300 million people would over in the next three years.
However, Microsoft aims to explore the potential of the underprivileged youths by providing them opportunities for Education, Employment and entrepreneurship through its new initiative called 'YouthSpark'.