Microsoft to reskill out-of-work employees in Dynamics 365

Microsoft wants to help its partners' employees who are facing redundancy by re-skilling them in Dynamics 365.

The company announced the Microsoft Business Applications Academy, an initiative designed to equip partners with staff possessing ERP and CRM skills, while bridging the gap of trained Dynamics experts in the Australian job market.

The academy will launch in partnership with workforce solutions provider ManpowerGroup, which will identify candidates for reskilling. The company didn’t specify the criteria for worthy candidates other than saying it will “utilise best practice cultural assessments to identify best talent fit for your organisation.”

Once selected, the candidates will undergo a four-week training program delivered by Microsoft Certified trainers that consists of online and classroom training. Upon completion, candidates should be in line to receive a Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Financials Functional Consultant Associate certificate, which Microsoft said will assist in meeting the requirements for a Cloud Business Applications Silver or Gold competency. Candidates with existing ERP and CRM experience with older Microsoft solutions will also be upskilled with the latest Dynamics 365 capabilities.

Microsoft said the initiative is intended for Business Applications partners with a Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations capability, but will focus on working with people affected by workforce reduction programs. The program will also target different industry segments starting with finance, retail and manufacturing.

“At ManpowerGroup we are constantly looking to solve current and future talent challenges,” said Manpower managing director Richard Fischer.

“Our collective goal with this program is to do just that – namely, helping to bridge the increasing gap between talent supply and demand in key fields. In doing so we also have the opportunity to support Microsoft’s channel partners; to provide meaningful work for individuals, and; to go some way toward addressing the diversity imbalance in technology.”