The program has just launched new courses with fluency in artificial intelligence and for small and medium businesses; in total, there are more than 25 certified training courses, including guidance on getting a new job, available through the Virtual School.
The Virtual School, created by the Bradesco Foundation in 2001, now offers a new round of free online courses with certification in collaboration with Microsoft with the aim of promoting digital inclusion and improving employability through the qualification of people in technology. The new training courses focus on developing artificial intelligence (AI) skills and cover everything from basic to advanced concepts, such as solutions for developers on GitHub, and AI for small and medium-sized companies. The content is recorded and asynchronous and caters to all levels of knowledge, from Digital Literacy and How to Get a Job, to data modeling in Power BI. All knowledge paths can be accessed at the link: https://www.ev.org.br/.
In Brazil, according to a study released by IDC, there are several job openings available, but there is a shortage of qualified people to meet the demand in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The report indicates that, by 2026, Latin America and the Caribbean will need more than 2.5 million technology professionals. Also according to the document, around 65% of the 5,000 largest companies in the region claim to have difficulty recruiting and training the workforce to work in this new digital culture. To address this demand, Microsoft is making more than 25 courses available through the Bradesco Foundation Virtual School, covering various areas of technology.
Recently, Escola Virtual expanded its range of content to also include courses on Generative Artificial Intelligence produced by Microsoft with experts from the company in Brazil, providing students with the opportunity to explore this innovative area. There are 4 courses that are already available on the platform: fluency, which provides an introduction to this technology and is recommended for all audiences; and IA-900, GitHub AI Solutions, more technical courses aimed at developers, and AI for small and medium-sized businesses, focusing on how to apply this technology to boost business. Two more courses will be launched in the coming months: AI for teachers and AI for students.
Since the partnership began in 2021, nearly 4.5 million people have enrolled in a Microsoft technology course. Of this total, around 1.5 million people have completed a course and approximately 1.3 million have obtained a certificate from Escola Virtual – among the most popular courses are Excel, Word and, more recently, Artificial Intelligence.
“Free, quality education is a fundamental right. Microsoft’s partnership with Fundação Bradesco has helped expand this access, promoting learning opportunities to develop professionals who are better prepared for job opportunities. All content is curated pedagogically to ensure the quality of the courses offered,” says Lucia Rodrigues, director of AI training at Microsoft Brazil.
“Bradesco Foundation believes in the transformative power of education, and Escola Virtual is yet another way we can provide access to free, quality training for those who need it most. In 2024, we surpassed 6.5 million enrollments and more than 1.6 million certifications, demonstrating the engagement of participants and the relevance of our courses. This journey is only possible thanks to strategic partnerships, such as the one we have with Microsoft. Together, we have already developed 21 courses, and now we are moving forward with the new Artificial Intelligence track — an initiative that has allowed us to provide highly updated training to audiences who would otherwise have difficulty accessing this type of content, helping to prepare professionals for the challenges of the present and the opportunities of the future,” highlights Luciana Gama, manager of Escola Virtual da Fundação Bradesco.
The main courses available include:
- fluency: introductory course on Generative AI
- IA-900 – AI Fundamentals on Azure
- GitHub AI Solutions
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Digital Literacy
- Create a simple website using HTML, CSS and JavaScript
- Introduction to Data Analysis – Microsoft Power BI
- Project Management with Microsoft 365
- How to Get a New Job
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates AI-powered platforms and tools to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI widely available and doing so responsibly, with the mission of empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. In Brazil for 35 years, the company launched the Microsoft Mais Brasil Plan in 2020, with the objective of supporting the country’s sustainable economic development, contributing with actions capable of preparing professionals for the digital economy, reducing inequalities and promoting digital inclusion.
About Virtual School
Created in 2001 by the Bradesco Foundation, the Virtual School is a portal for e-learning which allows the Foundation’s social vocation to expand beyond the classroom. The platform offers courses online completely free, in areas such as Administration, Accounting and Finance, Personal and Professional Development, Education and Technology. With diverse and dynamic content, the Virtual School provides students with self-study in a complete virtual environment, which respects the pace and learning capacity of each person. To enroll, you must be at least 14 years old, have a Taxpayer Registry (CPF) and a valid email account. More information at https://www.ev.org.br/.
About Bradesco Foundation
The Bradesco Foundation is the largest private social investment project in the country and annually benefits more than 42 thousand children and young people in situations of social vulnerability with free, quality education in its 40 schools distributed throughout the country.
Created in 1956 by Amador Aguiar, also the founder of Banco Bradesco, the institution focuses on the integral development of its students and its mission is to transform lives through education. To this end, it combines didactic and methodological strategies that aim to educate citizens who are aware of their role in society and who have skills that will generate opportunities in the future.
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