The world's largest software maker
Microsoft Corp.
(
MSFT
) and the Alabama Department of Education together announced the
launch of the Alabama Microsoft IT Academy Program. This program
is launched to enhance the students' technology skills.
The students will be certified in Microsoft Office products
such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint.
The program will be available for all high school students in the
state. The program will provide the requisite advantage to
Alabama schools, teachers and students to keep pace with the
ever-evolving technology sector.
IT certifications are gaining importance in the job market, as
certifications are considered a key factor for getting employed.
Moreover, Microsoft itself can employ the certified students.
Thus, Microsoft will have an ideal workforce for its local
businesses.
Microsoft's efforts to train the local youth for better job
opportunities is not restricted to the U.S. Previously, the
company initiated a project for opening cyber cafes throughout
Brazil to provide educational and job-training activities for the
youth.
It is a smart strategy adopted by the software giant. The
local youth will become more job worthy and eventually the
economy will improve. On the other hand, Microsoft may enjoy
opportunities like tax breaks and investments at a lower cost
provided by the local governments in these regions.
Similarly,
Cisco Systems
(
CSCO
) and
Oracle Corp.
(
ORCL
) also conduct certification courses to improve skills of IT
employees.
Microsoft reported revenue, excluding deferrals, of $16.01
billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, which were down
11.4% sequentially and 7.9% from last year. The revenue also
missed estimates by 2.5%.
Both Microsoft Corp. and Cisco Systems have a Zacks #3 Rank,
which implies a Hold rating in the short term (1-3 months), but
Oracle has a Zacks #4 Rank, implying a Sell rating.
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