FRANKFORT, KY - With so many people out of work or contemplating looking for new employment, proper training is essential in finding the right job.
A new partnership between Microsoft and the Commonwealth is designed to do just that: provide free training opportunities for Kentuckians seeking new job skills and resources.
The Microsoft Elevate America initiative will provide 20,250 vouchers for free online training and certification to Kentuckians starting with those who have recently lost their jobs.
While those vouchers will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis, Gov. Steve Beshear has reserved the first distribution for unemployed workers across the state.
"In this knowledge-based economy, computer skills are essential to the progression of any profession," said Beshear. "This initiative will not only assist job seekers who are looking to retool their skill sets to compete for higher-skilled, higher-paying jobs, but it will also ensure Kentucky's 21st century workforce continues to meet the needs of new and existing businesses."
The announcement of the partnership came on Jan. 27 at the Paul Sawyier Public Library with a host of state and Microsoft dignitaries on hand including Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Acting Secretary Joseph U. Meyer, Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) President Dr. Michael McCall, Microsoft Corporation's Gail Thomas-Flynn, vice president of State and Local Government and Siegfried Behrens, general manager of U.S. Education.
"Elevate America was created to equip people with the crucial skills necessary to get a job in today's competitive workplace," said 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."
The program was originally announced by Microsoft at the National Governor's Association winter conference in February 2009.
The initiative is expected to provide up to one million vouchers nationwide for Microsoft e-learning courses and select Microsoft certification exams at no cost or low cost to recipients, according to information from the company.
The program is part of Microsoft's overall efforts to improve social and economic opportunities by providing technology training for up to two million people during the next three years. Kentucky becomes the 12th state to participate.
Beshear and representatives from Microsoft presented a ceremonial first voucher to Lorretta Clark, an unemployed worker, during the ceremony launching the program.
How it works
There are a number of computer training courses available ranging from basic skills, which do not require a voucher, to advanced classes that allow participants to earn Microsoft certification.
Because of those various levels of training, residents can sign up for multiple courses; however, they can register for only 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.
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.
Participants can sign up for vouchers on a Web-based program that 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.
Those interested in the program 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, when registration opens to any who are looking to update their skills. Vouchers will be distributed first in, first out and will only be available for 90 days from the date of the announcement. Participants however, will have up to a year to complete training in specific areas.
"We are excited to work with Microsoft on such an important program. I'm proud that we could partner up to provide in-demand training that will help our citizens land and keep the jobs of tomorrow," said Meyer. "Giving people the technology proficiencies needed to succeed will help boost our state's employment and improve the quality of our workforce."
Meyer also said that a thoroughly prepared, well-trained workforce is the most important incentive that can be offered to businesses interested in locating or expanding in the state.
For more information or to obtain a voucher go to http://www.kyelevateamerica.ky.gov.