MICROSOFT AWARDS COMMUNITY SKILLS GRANT TO THE FONTANA BASED NONPROFIT, EMPOWERING SUCCESS NOW, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE “SKILL UP, BADGE UP” DIGITAL BADGE TRAINING PROGRAM

FONTANA, CA – Empowering Success Now (ESN), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization based in Fontana, Ca was awarded the Microsoft Community Skills Program Grant for the development of the “Skill Up, Badge Up” Training Program. The digital badge program was created for students preparing to enter the workforce, and individuals in various stages of their careers seeking to improve their marketability and enhance life skills. The accelerated 30-day digital badge program is designed to provide students that complete the training with basic skills in their chosen competency. Six virtual online courses will be initially offered, with in-person classes and additional courses coming in January 2023.

With the support of the Microsoft grant, the “Skill Up, Badge Up” Training Program will be available for high school students, “disconnected youth” ages 18 to 24 who are neither working or in school, and adults both working and unemployed. Prospective students will be able to choose from a variety of courses including Soft-Skills Training including Critical Thinking, Time Management, and Problem Solving, in addition to Business Communications, Microsoft Competency, and basic work skills development with the goal of preparing individuals to be competitive in an ever-changing job market.

Digital badges allow employers the opportunity to take a more evidence-based approach to screening applicants to better predict fit and performance. In other words, if digital badges have robust metadata with industry driven skills and abilities written with employers in mind, employers can easily find the right candidate for a position or promotion.

“I am honored that Microsoft recognized a need to partner with minority led non-profits to help bridge the divide between education and economic opportunity. As a recipient of the Microsoft Community Skills Program Grant, we can address the equity gap in today’s workforce, that leaves a large population at a disadvantage,” said Professor Artina McIntosh, founder, and executive director of ESN.

Through the Inland Empire Institute of Business and Technology (IEI); the educational branch of ESN, the “Skill Up, Badge Up” Training Program provides students that successfully complete the 30-day course with a digital badge. The digital badge works as a credentialing mechanism that validates the skills of an individual for current or potential employers, and educational institutes. The digital badge is housed and managed online and can be displayed on social networks, websites, and job searching sites to validate proficiency and skill levels.

As an educator and active member of her community, Professor McIntosh saw the need for programs that provide services to strengthen the community through education, sports, career training, and job placement. Her response to that need was the development of ESN and IEI.

The “Skill Up, Badge Up” Training Program is scheduled for, a September 2022 soft launch with limited course offerings. The official hard launch will take place in January 2023 with additional courses taught by seasoned educators, and career professionals carefully selected by Professor McIntosh, and her hiring team.

To learn more about the “Skill Up, Badge Up” Training Program visit: https://ieitraining.org/skill-up-badge-up.

About Empowering Success Now (ESN)
Empowering Success Now Is a multi-component, multi divisional education, career and business resource organization created to motivate, educate, empower sustainable success for our youth and community. They offer several programs and include various divisions that aim to address needs of the community. To learn more visit: http://www.empoweringsuccessnow.org/.

About The Inland Empire Business and Technology Institute (IEI)
The Inland Empire Business and Technology Institute is an innovative learning community dedicated to intellectual and personal growth in addition to a skilled workforce.

Their mission is to provide the community with the soft, life, professional, technical, and workforce skills they need to be successful in life and today’s job market by offering, 30- day digital skill badges, certificates and industry certifications that are accessible, applicable, and engaging.
To learn more visit: https://ieitraining.org/.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Media outlets interested in speaking with Professor McIntosh or receiving additional information about the “Skill Up, Badge Up” Training Program, ESN or IEI, please contact, Amy Malone, GICPR at 323-972-4081 or amy@gicpublicrelations.net.