Microsoft and FSO partner to establish a national AI skills training program, aiming to equip Australia's workforce with advanced AI capabilities to ensure long-term job security.

Microsoft and the Future Skills Organisation (FSO) have joined forces to launch the FSO Skills Accelerator-AI, a strategic partnership aimed at addressing Australia's AI skills gap. This initiative is part of Microsoft's global investment in digital infrastructure, IT skills, and cybersecurity.

The FSO Skills Accelerator-AI is a new strategic partnership between employers, industry, and training providers. It is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and is designed to help maximise the reach of AI tools and ensure the competency of the next generation of workers who will need to manage a hybrid AI-human workplace.

The partnership sets a bold blueprint for national workforce transformation, as stated by Rachel Bondi, Corporate Vice President SME at Microsoft Asia and Independent Director at FSO. Microsoft is already at the forefront of AI innovation, rolling out tools like Copilot and integrating AI into hardware, search, email, and a wide range of business applications.

The first step of the AI Workforce Consortium, which includes Cisco, Microsoft, and IBM, is the production of a report providing recommendations for organisations committed to providing skills training in line with future AI developments. The report will guide the FSO Skills Accelerator-AI in co-designing the necessary AI training with educators and industry representatives to expedite outcomes.

The FSO Skills Accelerator-AI will focus on learners within Australia's Vocational Education and Training (VET) system and more than 30,000 VET educators and administrators. The initiative emphasises the integration of AI into national standards, establishing a benchmark for AI proficiency in Australia. Microsoft's global skills program aims to enable over 300,000 Australians to gain skills in cloud and AI.

Unlike most companies in the Cloud Wars Top 10, Microsoft's reach extends far beyond the enterprise and into the pockets and laptop screens of hundreds of millions of active users. The establishment of a Microsoft Data Center Academy is part of Microsoft's investment in Australia.

The collaboration between Microsoft and the Future Skills Organisation to promote artificial intelligence skills for the workforce is not limited to Australia. The partnership involves deploying AI platforms and solutions in companies, with Microsoft Germany actively supporting AI startups and training initiatives.

The AI Agent & Copilot Summit, building on its 2025 success, is scheduled for 2026. This AI-first event takes place March 17-19 in San Diego, focusing on defining opportunities, impact, and outcomes with Microsoft Copilot and agents. The partnership aims to positively impact more than 95 million people globally within the next decade.

Microsoft has asserted leadership in defining the role of agents and copilots relative to the people who use AI technology but have to reskill. The FSO Skills Accelerator-AI is a testament to this leadership, as it strives to prepare the workforce for the future of AI-driven technology.

Microsoft and FSO partner to establish a national AI skills training program, aiming to equip Australia's workforce with advanced AI capabilities to ensure long-term job security.