Announced in October, Microsoft has now unleashed its Student Advantage program across more than 35,000 educational institutions worldwide.
With Student Advantage, education institutions that license Office 365 ProPlus or Office Professional Plus for staff and faculty can provide access to Office 365 ProPlus for students at no additional cost. This ensures that students have access to required tools to be able to prepare for the post-graduation workforce.
A study from IDC in October 2013 lists the top 20 skills needed to make a successful entry into the modern workplace and interestingly, the ability to use Microsoft Office came in 3rd in the list.
In Microsoft's program announcement, it made an ironic statement, suggesting that even Google requires potential candidates have experience using Microsoft Office. As noted in a GeekWire article in 2012, even someone working in the YouTube group at Google is required to use Excel, PowerPoint, MS Access, and SQL Server.
Microsoft's full Student Advantage announcement is here: Preparing students for the workplace: Student Advantage is now available
Compiled By: Microsoft
