Google just launched a new digital program called Maharat min Google (“Building Capabilities with Google) aimed at Arab women and youth to help them get ready for future opportunities, advance their careers, and grow their businesses.
Based on research by the World Economic Forum, digital skills in Arab-speaking countries are unfortunately not widely and accessible, even though these skills will be required by 2020. With Maharat min Google, the company (Google) hopes to close that gap. There’s also a gender disparity within the STEM field, even though girls outperform men according to the World Bank. However, the employment rates for women in STEM field remain low due to social constraints and gender norms. With this program, Google aims to resolve this issue.
The program will consist of free courses, tools and in-person training to job seekers, educators, students and businesses. Google is also partnering up with INJAZ AL-ARAB, with a $1 million grant in order to sustain the project and continue helping students, mainly women with practical digital skills.
Matt Brittin, Google’s president of business operations across Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “We’re delighted to be bringing ‘Maharat Min Google’ to the Middle East and North Africa – our contribution to the future of the workforce in MENA.”
He also added that program is free of charge, accessible on any platform, and is available in Arabic. “Maharat Min Google draws on our 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that connect people and businesses, helping them grow and succeed online. We know how valuable digital tools are to MENA’s future and we at Google are proud to be an engine supporting their growth,” he said.
The course takes about nine hours to complete, and at the end of it, participants will receive a certificate.