Manpower Inc. and Microsoft Form Alliance to Stimulate Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in the Middle East and Africa

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"The rising rates of unemployment among young people are deeply disturbing, and this generation is at risk of becoming the new long-term unemployed," said David Arkless, Manpower Inc. President of Corporate and Government Affairs. "Corporations have a moral obligation to foster innovation among young people, not just from a social responsibility standpoint, but because in the Human Age, it will be the source of that innovation, passion and creativity — human potential itself — that will be the catalyst for change and the global driving force economically, politically and socially."

Under a Memorandum of Understanding, cooperation activities will begin in the Middle East and Africa, the global regions with the highest rates of youth unemployment.  Microsoft and Manpower are working with other partners to develop a training curriculum for young entrepreneurs that include leading-edge technical, organizational, and business development skills.  In addition, they will participate jointly in training, mentoring, career guidance, work-preparation, job-linkage, and entrepreneurship projects for youth, first in the region and then across the globe.  

"Microsoft is working to turn our technology expertise into an engine that drives global progress," said Sharif Khan, Human Resources Director Microsoft Middle East and Africa.  "By broadening access to technology and entrepreneurial skills, we can unlock the potential of individuals and communities and find solutions to some of today's most pressing societal challenges.  Now, the synergies between Microsoft's technology offerings and Manpower's world of work expertise will let us create even richer and more powerful programs for young people that help channel their energy into productive economic activity."

About Manpower Inc.

Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN), world leader in innovative workforce solutions, creates and delivers high-impact solutions that enable clients to achieve their business goals, enhancing their competitiveness. With over 60 years of experience, our $19 billion company creates unique time to value through a comprehensive suite of innovative solutions ranging from recruitment and assessment, training and development, and career management, to outplacement, outsourcing and workforce consulting that help our clients win in the Human Age. Manpower's worldwide network of nearly 3,900 offices in over 80 countries and territories is the world's largest in the industry, generating a dynamic mix of an unmatched global footprint with valuable insight and local expertise to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year, across all industry sectors, small and medium-sized enterprises, local, multinational and global companies. By connecting our deep understanding of human potential to the ambitions of clients, Manpower helps the organizations and individuals we serve achieve more than they imagined – because their success leads to our success. And by creating these powerful connections, we create power that drives organizations forward, accelerates personal success and builds more sustainable communities. We help power the world of work. The Manpower Inc. suite of solutions are offered through Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan and Right Management. Learn more about how Manpower can help you win in the Human Age at www.manpower.com. Enter the Human Age at: www.manpower.com/humanage.

About Microsoft

At Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) our mission is to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. As the world's largest software company, Microsoft helps to create social and economic opportunities wherever we work, live, and do business. Our technology innovations, our people, our partnerships, and our day-to-day business contribute to the prosperity of communities and the sustainability of the planet. Our commitment to good corporate citizenship reflects our belief that social and economic opportunity go hand in hand. When individuals, communities, and governments thrive, so do we.

SOURCE Manpower Inc.; Microsoft