2024/02/13
Bogotá, Colombia. – February 13, 2024 – Given the growing importance of technology in education, work, and, in general, all aspects of life, three giants have joined forces in a strategic alliance that promises to positively contribute to the labor landscape in Latin America. Since 2023, The Trust for the Americas, Microsoft, and EY they have forged this collaboration, with the goal of reducing labor inequality and the educational gap through the implementation of the POETA DigiSpark Project in several countries in the region, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay.
In response to the digital skills gap, EY has created the Future Skills Workshops, a series of 90-minute workshops focusing on future skills training, which are not always taught in schools, but undoubtedly facilitate entry into the job market. The workshops aim to inspire students to explore topics such as emerging technologies, environmental sustainability, civic literacy, and financial education, among others, while discovering new passions and potential careers, and developing the mindset and skills needed to improve their employability in a changing labor market.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program, EY volunteers will lead a “Digital Literacy” workshop for a group of 40 tenth- and eleventh-grade students at the José María Vargas Vila School, as well as a panel discussion on artificial intelligence, alongside experts from Microsoft. The Laudes Infantis Foundation, a key partner of The Trust for the Americas in the country, was responsible for identifying the program participants based on their high potential and the school’s needs.
Verónica Philippe, POETA DigiSpark Project Manager, shared that “It is a pleasure and an honor to be part of this alliance that is transforming the educational and labor landscape in Latin America. As Project Manager in this ambitious effort, I believe in the power of technology education to propel adolescents, youth, and adults toward quality educational and labor inclusion. Through the POETA DigiSpark Project and EY's Future Skills Workshops, we have managed to train more than 7,000 people throughout Latin America, providing them with key skills to access economic opportunities. This is a crucial step toward reducing educational inequality, and from POETA DigiSpark we are committed to the positive impact we will generate in the lives of those who participate in this initiative.”.
For her part, Beatriz Carmona, Consulting Deputy Managing Partner for EY Latin America, stated: “At EY we are very excited about this collaboration, which allows us to reach vulnerable communities with the knowledge, experience, and skills of our professionals to boost talent development for young people seeking opportunities and facilitate their connection to the labor market. At EY we are convinced that the best way to create long-term value in society is to jointly drive a social transformation that provides quality education and valuable tools to new generations so they can solve the greatest challenges in their environment and forge a more sustainable future for everyone. This is how we bring to life our purpose of building a better working world.”.
In addition, this partnership facilitates the transfer of knowledge to the network of local partners of The Trust for the Americas through the content of the EY Future Skills Workshops, so that, in turn, they are better positioned to promote 21st-century skills among teachers and vulnerable communities.
Almudena Rivas, Director of Social and Productive Development at Laudes Infantis, commented that “The Laudes Infantis Foundation feels very privileged to be able to count on these important allies and to be part of the POETA DigiSpark project alongside them, thanks to which we give young people and adults in southern Bogotá the opportunity to acquire digital skills and competencies, contributing to the reduction of the existing digital divide in the country and generating greater opportunities for access to decent work.”.
This strategic alliance reflects the strong commitment of The Trust for the Americas, Microsoft, and EY to bridging the educational gap for adolescents as they transition into the workforce and to creating economic opportunities through technology education. Together, they are working toward a more equitable and technologically advanced future in Latin America.
For more information, please 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 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, Trust has implemented projects in 29 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives aim to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique partnership with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This vital partnership is the foundation upon which we build strong networks across all member states and the private sector. Through the development of our region, Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that foster cooperation for sustainable results.
About Hey:
EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society, and to build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.
About LAUDES INFATIS:
Laudes Infantis generates actions to strengthen the social and economic fabric of the territories in southern Bogotá, reinforcing the capacities and skills and abilities of all inhabitants, thus seeking a better future for children.
Colombia