Are you an unemployed IT professional? Would you like to take Microsoft courses or earn a Microsoft certification? Did you know that you may qualify for no-cost access to Microsoft eLearning and select certification examinations?
Various states are working with Microsoft to provide free vouchers for computer eLearning through the Microsoft Elevate America initiative, which Microsoft launched in February 2009. This is a major public-private partnership designed to provide unemployed Americans with the technology knowledge and skills or certification necessary to succeed in the 21st Century economy. Through Elevate America, Microsoft is providing one million training vouchers over a three-year period with the intent to train two million job seekers.
Microsoft is making Elevate America vouchers available through state-designated employment, training or workforce development agencies. Each state determines which training benefits to offer through this program. As resources become available in a state, the designated state agency selects from one or more of the following:- Foundation-level skills through Microsoft Unlimited Potential and Digital Literacy curricula and Windows and Microsoft Office Basics via Learning Plans;
- Intermediate technology-skills training courses, online and instructor-led, plus selected certification exams;
- Vouchers for e-learning courses offered by Microsoft;
- Vouchers for certification exams leading to Microsoft Business Certification;
- Discounted Microsoft IT Academy membership rates for academic institutions.
Eight states are currently distributing vouchers (although distribution ends in April 2010 for four of them), and eight states have completed their voucher distribution. Click here to determine the Elevate America program status in your state, as well as the designated agency in your state. If your state is not participating today, it may be added in the future. Continue to check monthly.
To obtain a voucher for Microsoft Learning or Certification through Elevate America, you must go through your designated state agency that is the distributor in your state. Once you receive a voucher, it will contain an access code that you'll need to participate in Microsoft's Elevate America eLearning and/or to take a certification examination. You have up to 12 months to complete your training from the date you redeem your voucher.
AITP in Action is a series of educational, advocacy and community service programs sponsored by the Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Committee. For more information, contact AITP in Action.
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