As part of an effort to make localization software more accessible to early career professionals in the industry, Phrase, a platform specialized for managing localization projects, announced today that it will be launching a new academic program for students and professors who are enrolled in or teach in university-level localization courses. Phrase, which was acquired by Memsource at the beginning of 2021, will also begin offering a certification program, geared toward individuals who are looking to earn an official certificate that can back up their expertise in the field of localization.

Both programs can be accessed through Phrase’s official website, free of charge. The academic program will allow students to develop an understanding of Phrase’s interface and how it’s used as a localization platform, in order to help them gain familiarity with the different types of software commonly used in the industry. Phrase is typically used to store multilingual copy, manage translations, and integrate all contributors involved in a given localization project. The platform’s new academic program has its roots in Memsource’s Academic Edition, which was launched in 2012 and is available at more than 200 universities worldwide.

“Having joined forces with Phrase earlier this year, we are now able to expand this academic offer and provide students and professors with access to Phrase, the industry-leading software localization platform as well,” said Filip Šanca, community marketing lead at Memsource.

The certification program allows individuals who have already begun their careers in localization to earn an official certificate that can bolster their skills in localization. The program consists of various training materials that users can browse through at their own pace before completing a test on the information—upon passing the test, users receive Phrase’s localization certificate.

“At Memsource, we have always cherished the partnerships we have with academia and our dear users,” Šanca said. “We believe that students, the future generation of localization professionals, should have easy access to technology that is used by their soon-to-be employers and clients.”