Microsoft recognizes 19 military spouses who completed the inaugural Military Spouse Technology Academy pilot program

Program is part of Microsoft's commitment to support the entire veteran community through its cornerstone program, Microsoft Software & Systems Academy for transitioning veterans, as well as its YouthSpark for military children initiative

/PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. will host a recognition ceremony to celebrate the 19 cohort graduates from the Military Spouse Technology Academy (MSTA) pilot program on Friday, March 1. This pilot program is designed to empower military spouses with in-demand digital skills leading to well-paying and meaningful careers.

The MSTA 22-week pilot program was developed with the input from the military spouse community as well as from Blue Star Families to better understand the needs of military spouses and create conditions for success. The program is part of the company's ongoing commitment to support the military and veteran communities to obtain the necessary digital skills for the workforce of tomorrow.

The 2019 MSTA cohort displays a breadth of backgrounds, experience and knowledge, typical of what military spouses have to offer the tech labor marketplace. Among the 19 graduates are 32 college degrees and over 40 certifications. Members are from more than eight countries and speak over 50 languages, 22 of them unique, including Portuguese, Spanish and Mandarin.

                        When:              Friday, March 1, 2019


                        Time:     
            11 a.m. PDT


                        Where:             Historic 1625 Tacoma
                                            Place (1625 S Tacoma
                                            Way, Tacoma, WA 98409)

The ceremony will include guest speakers Chris Cortez, Military Affairs vice president, Microsoft; Colonel Nicole Lucas, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Garrison Commander; Danny Chung, Military Affairs Chief of Staff, Microsoft; and Elizabeth O'Brien, Senior Director, Military Spouse Program, Hiring Our Heroes. Representatives from Microsoft will be available for interviews after the ceremony.

For more information, press only:

Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications for Microsoft, (425) 443-7777, rrt@we-worldwide.com

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://news.microsoft.com. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-public-relations-contacts.

TACOMA, Wash., Feb. 27, 2019

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.