Microsoft is partnering with the District to train residents and students in science and technology skills, part of Mayor Vincent Gray’s goal to transform the city into a technology and software industry hub.
The announcement comes as city officials are negotiating with Microsoft to woo the tech giant into opening an Innovation Center at the old St. Elizabeths Hospital campus in Ward 8. Gray would not say Wednesday whether the company was close to reaching an agreement with the District, but he did indicate it was a vote of confidence.
“I don’t think they would make this kind of investment in the District of Columbia if they’re not looking to create opportunities for our people to be hired,” Gray said.
Microsoft’s innovation centers are technology facilities for collaboration on new research, technology or software solutions and include government, academic and industry participants, according to Microsoft’s website.
The training program, called D.C. Digital Alliance, is the first of its kind in the country and Microsoft’s Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs Fred Humphries said the company planned to expand the program to other cities.
“I think there’s a need in the community here when it comes to technology training and help in education,” he said.
Gray said he and Microsoft officials have had more than a dozen meetings over the past year about how to create programs that give D.C. students and residents more access to computer sciences. But neither Gray nor Microsoft could give an estimate on how much the company is spending to start the program in D.C. because much of the startup investment is in labor and training.
The program will provide training to residents and small businesses on Microsoft software and the company is also providing business development resources such as software, tech training and sales support to 10 local small businesses. The support is worth $100,000, according to Microsoft.
For students, the company is holding a two-day training program in April at Howard University for D.C. teachers. Students will also get hands-on experience through DigiGirlz days, where high school girls learn from women in the tech industry, and Minority Student Days.
