It may be getting harder to find good, skilled, trained coders – those who took up computer science courses and are honed (OJT or self-taught) in the ways of computer programming. The employed world needs more people who can skillfully “speak code” and young people dominate the employed and soon-to-be employed demographic.

Microsoft We Speak Code

Microsoft wants to help. Their “We Speak Code” campaign aims to spark or rekindle interest among the youth to try coding. And perhaps sustain that interest long enough for it to become a skill that, in time, will be refined enough to invite employment.

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Mervin Wenke

Starting April 21, Microsoft hosts activities and events across the Asia Pacific in collaboration with partners. At the Philippine launch of the “We Speak Code” campaign, speakers espousing the value of coding, from their experience and success in it and through it, argued for the need to provide ways for the young to explore coding, and maybe discover their passion in it. These speakers include Unyx Sta Ana, CEO of Orchestrack, a Microsoft BizSpark Plus Startup (below).

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Unyx Sta. Ana, CEO of Orchestrack, a BizSpark Plus Startup

Microsoft is also supporting Code.org’s petition for every student to have the chance to learn computer science in every shool. You can do your part and log on to wespeakcode.net to sign the petition. You may also share coding stories, images, thoughts, and events via social media by using the hashtag #wespeakcodeph.

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Alvin Gendrano, Director for Developer and Platform Group, Microsoft Philippines

That’s not all. Microsoft also has a free Windows 8 app you can download. It’s called Siena and it shows you how easy it is to assemble an app you can upload to the Windows Store. The app is like a cross between a basic html tutorial but without the need to type in codes, and a PowerPoint presentation where in you can put text bars and videos and images.

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Left to right: Joben Rara, Technical Evangelist ffor Microsoft Philippines; Unyx Sta. Ana, CEO of Orchestrack; Alvin Gendrano, Director for Developer and Platform Group for Microsoft Philippines; Sheryl de Luna, Marketing Communications Manager for Microsoft Philippines

For more information, do visit www.wespeakcode.net.

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