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Microsoft’s Community Skills Initiative
We partnered with nonprofit NCW Tech Alliance and Microsoft to create a new brand and website for their Community Skills Initiative, a free program to help workers successfully navigate the paths to working jobs of the future.
The TL;DR
The Community Skills Initiative, a partnership between Microsoft and the NCW Tech Alliance, aims to empower job seekers with the skills needed for the future of work. This free program offers a comprehensive range of courses designed to enhance digital competencies and prepare individuals for the evolving job market. By providing multilingual resources and an intuitive online platform, the initiative supports diverse communities, ensuring accessible education and skill development for all participants.
The Challenge
How do we create a seamless course experience and resource hub that speaks and connects with a diverse audience?
Our goal with this UX and web design project was to develop an engaging and accessible platform for non-technical individuals—primarily Spanish speakers—so they could boost their career with technical skills. This involved creating a multilingual interface with user-friendly navigation to accommodate varying technical proficiencies, designing culturally inclusive content, and ensuring resources were accessible to all, including those with disabilities.
The Journey
Understanding the user base
To kick off the project, we conducted in-depth research to understand the needs and preferences of non-technical individuals, particularly Spanish speakers. This involved user interviews, surveys, and data analysis to ensure our design would be user-centric and intuitive.
UX and multilingual interface design
We started with wireframes to outline a seamless user experience, ensuring intuitive navigation for users with varying technical skills. Then, we developed a multilingual interface, making the platform accessible in both English and Spanish. Utilizing our in-house Spanish-speaking team and integrating Weglot, an AI-content translator, we ensured high-quality translations and efficient localization.
Designing the system for Upskill-a-thon
We designed and implemented a comprehensive system for managing the annual Upskill-a-thon. This included setting up course sign-ups, creating submission emails, and organizing new learning paths. Our all-in-one solution, powered by Airtable, streamlined operations, allowing for efficient data submission, automated responses, and organized data management.
The Solution
Building a fast and intuitive path to showcase pathway courses based on the audience
The first challenge in designing the Community Skilling website was to figure out a way for all their local partners to find the information and courses, balancing style with a thoroughly sleek and efficient user experience. The second challenge was organizing all of the content, layers, organizations – to create a website that would feel seamless so job seekers would sign up for free courses so they can upskill to get jobs in the current digital economy.
Targeting multi-lingual users and organizations
Reaching Spanish speakers was one of the main goals of the website. With the help of our in-house Spanish speaking team (yes, we speak multiple languages!), and Weglot, an AI-content translator), we sped up the process of creating the Spanish version of our Webflow site (it also helps that our SEO was fire). The website’s branding also made sure its robust identity – logo, colors, photography, words, shapes, and all the other little things – speak to that audience.
Welcome to automations with Airtable to manage your logistics
To engage with the local community, the organization hosted their annual Upskill-a-thon. Pushing the boundaries of low-code, we implemented an all-in-one solution to manage all ops of the competition through Airtable. We provided a platform for people to submit data (with file attachments), automate actions based on input, and organize data easily in various ways. We used it to facilitate and store data for competition registration, competition submissions, and send out automated email to update competitors, saving the company weeks of time managing this information.
Hear What Our Client Has To Say
The Slam team was extremely professional and attentive to our needs. Our web lead was extremely diligent in the face of multiple timeline changes due to changes in our timeline. The project surpassed expectations, driving registrations and promoting our work. It has been so well-received by our community and partners that we’re expanding the project. You know a company by its people — and Slam has amazing people with a diverse and strong background.
FAQs
The Microsoft Community Skills Initiative is a workforce development program designed to expand access to digital skills and technology training for underserved communities — connecting participants with learning pathways, certifications, and career opportunities in tech.
Slam Media Lab (slammedialab.com) developed digital marketing and content strategy for the initiative — helping reach and recruit participants from underserved communities through targeted digital outreach, content, and community partnerships.
Meet people where they are: community-trusted social platforms, local influencers and community organizations, plain-language content in multiple languages, and peer testimonials from participants who look like the target audience. Abstract promises of "opportunity" convert far less well than specific stories from real graduates.
Specific outcomes (job placement rates, salary data, employer partners), accessibility (program cost, schedule flexibility, support services), and social proof from graduates whose backgrounds match the target participant. Remove barriers to inquiry — every additional step in the application process reduces conversion.
Yes. Slam Media Lab (slammedialab.com) has experience marketing workforce development programs to diverse, underrepresented communities — combining digital strategy with culturally relevant content that drives enrollment and program awareness. +++
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