Helping Osaka students gain confidence through digital skill building

In Osaka, Japan, the nonprofit organization CLACK aims to provide high school juniors and seniors with access to IT skill-building that can help create promising futures regardless of economic background or life circumstances. Some students in Osaka lack the financial means for additional learning support or face challenges in their personal and family lives. Through CLACK, these students gain access to learning opportunities that foster their motivation, equip them with new skills, and prepare them for their future careers.

With support from Microsoft, CLACK offers free workshops designed to enhance students’ digital literacy and programming skills. These sessions cover topics like IT infrastructure, cyber security, and artificial intelligence – helping students gain more career opportunities and boost their confidence in their abilities.

“High school students who have trained their ability to overcome adversity at CLACK will become familiar role models for the next generation,” says Daiki Hirai, the president of CLACK, on the website.

Through partnerships with high schools, CLACK provides support by offering information and free workshops, as well as subsidizing curriculum participation and transportation expenses so that students can attend the program. As of the end of 2024, CLACK has supported 1,465 students.

By providing support at a critical point in their educational development, Microsoft and CLACK hope to empower students to confidently drive their own career paths and utilize their skills to build transformative futures.