UAE-based Dubai Cares, social welfare agency Unicef and private organisations Accenture and Microsoft have jointly launched a global, digital learning platform for people aged 15-24.

Introduced on day one of the RewirEd Summit held on 12 December, the Passport to Earning platform aims to address the global education crisis – currently exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic – and prepare the next generation for decent work.

READ: Dubai Cares addresses global challenges in education

According to a recent report by the World Bank, Unesco and Unicef, the current generation of students risks losing $17tn in lifetime earnings (about 14 per cent of today’s global GDP) as a result of pandemic-related school closures.

"Young people across the world are poised to advance their societies and economies," says Omar Abdi, deputy executive director of Unicef. "Yet, without access to relevant, quality education and training opportunities, they are unable to truly participate in the 21st century workforce. The Passport to Earning, which builds upon proven solutions in delivering education in the most challenging of environments, will provide young people with the skills and certification they need to create a better, more sustainable world."

The platform will provide young people across the world with free, certified education and skills training, with content spanning across digital, foundational, role-based, and technical skills. Students will be able to use the certifications gained to support future employment and entrepreneurship opportunities made available on the platform.

Passport to Earning is built on Microsoft’s Community Training (MCT) platform and will form an extension of Unicef and Microsoft’s Learning Passport, a digital learning platform aimed at school-age children struggling to access mainstream education.

The RewirEd Summit is led by Dubai Cares, in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai and in close coordination with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), and delivered in partnership with global stakeholders.

Lead image: Shutterstock (Bucharest, Romania - November 19, 2019: Children wearing Unicef shirts take part at an event. Unicef logo)