Superapp Grab has brought its upskilling program GrabAcademy fully online, partnering with Microsoft to provide drivers training on digital literacy and inclusion.

The newest course, Microsoft’s Digital Literacy certificate program, is now available on the driver app for drivers and delivery partners to access.

The program covers topics on computer basics, online communication, and creating and managing digital content. The course is available in English and Filipino.

“COVID-19 has made digital transformation critical, and accelerated a global wave of technology adoption. But embracing digital opportunities requires having the necessary digital skills,” said Microsoft Philippines country manager Andres Ortola.

“Alongside the adoption of technology, we have to empower the individuals within our workforces and communities with the skills and knowledge they need today, and tomorrow,” Ortola added.

Apart from the Microsoft certificate course, GrabAcademy is also offering courses that will help drivers “thrive” beyond the platform. Here are some of the courses available:

• Entrepreneurship
• Baking
• Farming
• Milk tea-making

“Our GrabAcademy is a clear expression of our long-term commitment to the development and wellbeing of our partners – both within and beyond our platform, and we are blessed and excited to be with Microsoft on this journey,” said Grab Philippines country head Grace Vera Cruz.

As GrabAcademy is now fully online, safety and refresher courses from trainings can now be accessed on the driver app:

• Safety across the platform – proper food handling and delivery, sanitation of vehicles and gears, road safety, data protection, crime prevention and detection, and anti-harassment courses
• Growing within the platform – refresher courses on Grab’s general code of conduct, driver-cancellation policy, and service quality standards

Grab also migrated its taxation and vehicle sanitation training courses.

“Our driver- and delivery-partners have spent many years providing essential services to all our kababayans, and as a community partner to our Ka-Grab, we are committed to supporting their everyday needs and their long-term success,” Vera Cruz said.

Vaccination program

Vera Cruz told Rappler that Grab has already procured vaccine shots for drivers, and delivery partners who will not be covered by the national vaccination program.

“As of today, we have procured a number of doses,” Vera Cruz said without elaborating how many. “We are procuring as much as we can. However the timing of the delivery of that is still a question,” she added.

Under the COVID-19 vaccination program, economic frontliners, including those in the commuter transport and delivery services, are part of the A4 priority group.

Asked about how many drivers will have to be covered by Grab, Vera Cruz said she doesn’t have an idea at the moment.

“We are prepared for the worse but hoping for the best as Grab. We are trying our best to work with the regulators, national government and local government, to understand it. When we ask them the question, they’re also unclear as of this point,” Vera Cruz said.

Grab Philippines country operations head RJ Cabaluna said that they have submitted their list to some local governments units, while some drivers have already registered with the LGUs. – Rappler.com