WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA and Microsoft Elevate America Offer No-Cost Computer Training

May 28, 2010 - PRLog -- Today, many jobs require you to know more than just the basics of Microsoft Office applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.  WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA, in partnership with Microsoft’s Elevate America, will provide education and training that will help Central Florida residents develop and enhance their skills and advance their careers.  

Microsoft has developed the Elevate America program to strengthen the U.S. economy and increase global competitiveness by improving access to education and workforce readiness skills required for 21st century jobs.  As part of the Elevate America effort, Microsoft is providing vouchers to residents in the Central Florida area for no-cost access to Microsoft eLearning courses and select Microsoft certification exams.

•   1,234 General E-Learning vouchers will give users a choice of pursuing a “learning collection” within either Office 2003 or Windows Vista and Office 2007.  A “learning collection” is a set of learning courses on a specific topic area (i.e. Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.).  The voucher must be activated before August 21, and users will have one year from that time to complete training.  The Elevate America courses are online and self-paced, designed to allow individuals to take the courses at their own convenience.  Each course takes approximately six to eight hours.
   
•   1,234 vouchers for Microsoft Certification Exam(s) will enable a user to pursue a no-cost exam in one topic area (i.e. Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.). One Voucher will enable a user to pursue one exam* in either Office 2003 or Office 2007.  Tests must be taken at Certiport Centers (http://www.certiport.com/Portal/Pages/LocatorView.aspx).  All test vouchers must be used within the 90 days of program launch.  Florida will officially launch Elevate America on May 24, 2010, which means certification exam voucher recipients have until August 21, 2010 to redeem the voucher and take the test.

•   318 IT Professional vouchers are a separate group of E-Learning vouchers for customers who are interested in pursuing an extended library of IT professional learning courses (above and beyond what is offered through the general e-Learning vouchers). Please note that there are no test vouchers offered for these IT professional courses.  The testing cost will be the responsibility of the individual if he/she wishes to take the test.

* Proctoring fees may apply at some test centers and are the responsibility of the customer.  One free retake per voucher.

Who is eligible?  
All adults age 18 or over are eligible, as well as graduating high school seniors who are under the age of 18. Whether you are currently employed and simply want to brush up on your technology skills or are in the market for a career, Elevate America can help.

To participate, apply at www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com/ElevateAmerica for a voucher that will provide an access code to participate in the online training.   Vouchers will be supplied on a first-come, first-served basis through WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA.  Upon voucher availability, information will be forwarded to the requestor via e-mail within 48 business hours of the initial request.

For more information, visit http://www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com/ElevateAmerica.

WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA (WCF) is the region’s workforce expert, helping over 4,000 employers connect with more than 47,000 job seekers. WCF offers innovative solutions to assist Central Florida businesses succeed in today’s highly competitive workforce, while providing the tools job seekers need to find or advance in their current career. For more information, visit WCF online at www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com.

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WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA is the Orlando area's workforce expert, an authority on workforce planning, programs and the labor market for the Florida counties of Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Sumter counties.