Salesforce, the leading AI CRM provider, has soared beyond its initial commitment and delivered over 3 million upskilling opportunities for women within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Upskilling Initiative, surpassing its goal of 500,000 offerings.
Launched by the U.S. Department of Commerce in September 2022, the IPEF initiative aims to furnish women across the Indo-Pacific region with essential digital skills to bolster sustainable economic growth. Salesforce’s contributions spanned India, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and more, addressing the glaring gender disparity highlighted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), where women constitute only 25.1% of IT employment in the Asia Pacific region.
Through collaborations with governments, public entities, and non-profits, Salesforce provided diverse upskilling opportunities for women. These initiatives were disseminated via Trailhead, Salesforce‘s free online learning platform, and inclusive programs encompassing expert-led training events, self-paced e-learning courses, and certifications tailored for the Salesforce ecosystem.
Salesforce’s Trailhead Academy, in partnership with governmental bodies and educational institutions, spearheaded these programs. Noteworthy collaborations include initiatives with NASSCOM, Giftabled, Skillible, Pride Circle in India, Nokentech, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics (KOMINFO), and Ayala Foundation in the Philippines.
“By delivering on — and exceeding — our commitment to provide half a million upskilling opportunities, we are demonstrating a tangible impact on the lives and careers of countless individuals in these communities, and helping to unlock the potential of digital economies in the region,” said William Sim, Vice President of Trailhead Academy, Asia-Pacific, Salesforce.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina M. Raimondo, commended Salesforce’s strides under the IPEF Upskilling Initiative, acknowledging the pivotal role of private entities in empowering women and nurturing global economic prosperity.
This comes on the heels of Salesforce’s recent announcement that it would be partnering with the Ministry of Education to upskill 100K students in AI.
