FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky will join forces with Microsoft in an innovative public-private partnership to provide free technology training to thousands of Kentuckians seeking new job skills and resources.
Through Microsoft® Elevate America, Kentucky will receive 20,250 vouchers for free online training and certification that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. In an effort to develop marketable technology skills for those trying to re-establish their employment, Gov. Steve Beshear has reserved the first distribution of vouchers for unemployed workers across the state.
“Elevate America was created to equip people with the crucial skills necessary to get a job in today’s competitive workplace,” said Microsoft’s Thomas-Flynn “We believe that this type of public-private partnership will play an important role in rebuilding Kentucky and the nation's economy by offering immediate, no-cost access to the technology skills training and certifications that individuals need and employers are looking for.”
Computer training ranges from basic skills, which do not require a voucher, to advanced classes that allow participants to earn Microsoft certification. Given the various levels of training available, residents can sign up for multiple courses; however, they can only sign up for one course at a time and must complete one before attempting to enroll in another.
Microsoft will work with Kentucky’s Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, to distribute 9,000 vouchers for online training, 9,000 vouchers for online testing and 2,250 vouchers for more advanced training courses.
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Each training voucher can be used on Microsoft Windows or one of the products in the Microsoft Office Suite. Each testing voucher can be used for a Microsoft business certification exam, which when passed signifies a student is Microsoft certified in either Windows Vista or a specific Microsoft Office product. Advanced level vouchers are redeemable for training individuals on technical professional career tracks in areas such as Web development or data management.
The Web-based program can be accessed from any Internet-connected computer. Those without computers or Internet access in their homes can visit their local One-Stop Career Center, Adult Education Center or public library to use the computer services available at those locations. Certification exams must be taken at a proctored Certiport location. KCTCS will provide these testing sites at 13 of its campuses across the state, at no charge to the participant.
Participants must be residents of Kentucky. Employees of Kentucky State Government are not eligible. Applicants under 18 years of age must provide parental consent to participate. Vouchers will be reserved for unemployed workers for the first two weeks of the program. Other registrant applications will be put into a pending status until after the two week period, at which point registration is open to any who are looking to update their skills. Vouchers will be distributed first in, first out.
Kentucky’s participation in Microsoft’s Elevate America program makes it the twelfth state to take part in this groundbreaking initiative to prepare workers for the demands of a 21st century economy.
For more information on how to obtain a voucher and to view a list of testing sites, visit the state’s Web portal http://www.kyelevateamerica.ky.gov/. Kentuckians must claim their vouchers by April 27, 2010.
Participants with questions about the program can e-mail elevateamerica@ky.gov.
Visit http://www.oet.ky.gov/ to learn more about Elevate America and other career assistance and training services available through Kentucky’s workforce system.
To learn more about Microsoft’s Elevate America national program, visitwww.microsoft.com/elevateamerica.
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