JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Bean Path, Jackson Resource Center and the City of Jackson have partnered with Microsoft Philanthropy and LinkedIn Learning to offer free career and skill-training resources to Mississippians.
Skill-IT-Thon is a program built upon Microsoft’s Skills for Jobs learning pathways. These role-based learning paths provide opportunities for people – at any stage in their career – to reskill and upskill for in-demand roles. The program offers numerous courses related to roles in a more digital economy.
As part of the program’s launch in Mississippi, registrants can participate in the Skill-IT-Thon, a free monthlong upskilling challenge with cash prizes. Beginning May 1, registrants can take online skills courses from LinkedIn Learning and earn certificates to bolster their resumes while competing in the Skill-IT-Thon.
Participants earn points with a certificate of completion for a Foundational Skills course or Career Essentials Certificate for a Career pathway. The top earners in three categories will win cash prizes, ranging from $1,500 to $250. The prizes will be awarded after the competition ends June 30.
Any person in Mississippi age 16 or over can register for the Skill-IT-Thon. After the competition ends, the LinkedIn courses and pathways will still be available to anyone, regardless of whether they competed in the Skill-IT-Thon.
The new collaboration is the latest effort of MPB’s Education Department. MPB received grant funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 2018 to create a workforce development initiative. Getting to Work MS focuses on educating students and adults about career pathways, essential workforce priorities, initiatives, and programs.