TRAINING

AND
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMMES
AT
MICROSOFT

20/UBAA/127
MIHIKA M
ABOUT THE COMPANY

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology corporation which produces computer software,
consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Microsoft is the largest vendor of computer
software in the world. It is also a leading provider of cloud computing services, video games, computer
and gaming hardware, search and other online services. Microsoft's corporate headquarters is located in
Redmond, Wash., and it has offices in more than 60 countries. Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and
Paul Allen on April 4, 1975, to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800. It rose to
dominate the personal computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed by
Microsoft Windows. and its best-known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating
systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship
hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen
personal computers. Microsoft ranked No. 21 in the 2020 Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United
States corporations by total revenue.

TRAINING PROGRAMMES OF THE COMPANY:

Microsoft growth mindset culture begins with valuing learning over knowing—seeking out new ideas, embracing
challenges, learning from failure, and improving over time. To support this culture, they offer a diverse range of
learning and development opportunities. They believe training can be more than formal instruction, and their
philosophy focuses on providing the right learning, at the right time, in the right way. Opportunities include:

● Personalized, integrated, and relevant views of all learning opportunities on Microsoft Learning and
LinkedIn Learning.

● In-the-classroom learning and sharing with learner boards.

● On-the-job “stretch” opportunities for advancement.

● Frequent promotion opportunities.

● Coaching on career development through ongoing manager connections.

● Customized manager training to enhance coaching and mentoring skills.

● New employee orientation covering a range of topics including company values, culture, and Standards of
Business Conduct.
They develop dynamic, sustainable, and strategic programs that together provide a highly differentiated portfolio
to attract, reward and retain top talent and enable their employees to do their best work. These programs reinforce
the company’s culture and values. The result is a global performance and development approach that fosters
culture, competitive compensation that ensures equitable pay by role while supporting pay for performance, and
distinctive benefits that delight the employees.

1. Microsoft’s diversity education programs help ensure that employees have the awareness, skills,
knowledge, and ability to carry out their individual responsibilities. It provides employees with the key
competencies they need to excel in their current or future roles and to create a workplace environment that
is empowering, inclusive, and supportive so all employees can do their best work.

2. Employees are able to receive the training they need on-demand, at their convenience, and from the
comfort of their office or home. It also offers participants an online area to discuss the training courses, ask
questions, and learn from others. There are also advanced courses for Human Resources professionals to
help coach and manage employees.

3. For trainees, Microsoft conducts a training program named Leap Engineer Acceleration Program (LEAP)
which imparts technical and personal skills required to carry out the job. It is usually a 4 week course.
Microsoft has both in-class and e-learning programs. Wide range of training programs includes: Software
skill training , Language training , Product training and Leadership development program.

4. Microsoft IT training will give you the expertise you need in a specific product or technology. - The
sources & the operations at Microsoft are majorly related to the software industry, thus the report majorly
focuses on the training carried out for these personnel. The training is majorly carried out at the Hyderabad
& Bangalore locations.

5. Microsoft invests a large amount on training these individuals to gain expertise in their domains by
providing them accommodation & food facilities, traveling expenses, hiring the software infrastructure
necessary, providing necessary tools & softwares required for the specific tasks.
 6. Several teams of the hired interns are formed & given training under several technical experts & managers.
The initial training for 3 months termed as ‘MSA’ i.e. Microsoft student associates is carried out at
Bangalore or Hyderabad & then these candidates are sent to their respective base locations for further
training program termed as ‘MSP’ i.e. Microsoft’s Student Partners. The soft skills development in the due
course are carried out by the HR personnel.The candidates are asked to choose their area of interest or the
technology they would like to work from : Server Windows, Server Exchange, Server Lync ,Server
SharePoint, Virtualisation System Center, Cloud Desktop , Windows Applications Office ,Office 365
and are then provided specific trainings.

7. Role-based training and certification from Microsoft introduces a holistic approach to meet the needs of
the business rather than simply focusing on the features of a given product. This fundamental shift allows
companies to specifically target job roles while planning for the development of their employees. This also
allows IT professionals to upskill in their current role or follow a certification roadmap to the role they
desire. Microsoft has aligned several training courses and certifications for job roles in technologies such as
Azure, Power Platform, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365.

WELLNESS AND SAFETY:

Microsoft is committed to supporting its employees’ well-being and safety while they are at work and in their
personal lives.

In addition to the comprehensive benefits package, their Occupational Health and Safety program helps ensure
employees can stay safe while they are working. As part of this commitment:

● Professionals assess the safety risks of work activities and engage with workers and management to
implement safe work practices, hazard controls, and training to minimize safety risks and to provide
continual improvement for employee health and safety.

● New and existing workspaces are periodically assessed to ensure they are constructed with sound
design-for-safety principles and that controls are implemented effectively.

● Microsoft involves employees and managers in Health and Safety Committees specific to its data centers,
retail operations, and office locations where required.
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AT MICROSOFT:
Through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), social and networking groups, Microsoft is committed to
help find opportunities to foster personal connections across global teams, participate in local
engagements, and take part in global sustainability. ​

From financial education and tuition assistance to specific program training, the employees have
opportunities to expand their knowledge on a variety of topics, stay current in their field, and continue to
learn as their career progresses. ​They support employee growth with hundreds of online and in-person
technical, management and professional development classes. With an ongoing visiting speaker series
covering a broad range of topics by acclaimed speakers and our employee TechFest, they strive to ensure
our employees can grow in their career knowledge.

At its core, Microsoft’s strength lies in its talented people and a culture grounded in a growth mindset.
This means anyone can change, learn, and grow. They believe potential can be nurtured and is not
predetermined, and one should always be learning and curious - trying new things without fear of failure.
They have identified four attributes that allow a growth mindset to flourish. Obsessing over what matters
to its customers, becoming more diverse and inclusive in everything they do, operating as one company
instead of multiple siloed businesses and lastly, making a difference in the lives of each other, its
customers and the world around us.