Small Town News

Alabama and Microsoft team up to Elevate America

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Governor Bob Riley announced earlier this month that Alabama will join forces with Microsoft in an innovative public-private partnership to provide free technology training to individuals across the state. Through Elevate America, Microsoft will work with the Governor's Office of Workforce Development (GOWD), the Alabama Career Center System, and the Alabama Community College System to distribute 15,000 vouchers for free, online technology training and certi-fication.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the citizens of our state," said Governor Riley. "Technology is the driving force in today's global economy and computer proficiency is a fundamental necessity. The Microsoft Elevate America program will provide Alabamians with crucial computer skills for the jobs of the future and I commend Microsoft for this innovative initiative."

In its role as Microsoft's "designated partner" for administration of Elevate America in Alabama, GOWD will distribute the 15,000 vouchers through the career center sites which are located throughout the state. Each training voucher is redeemable for free online training on one of the programs in the Microsoft Office Suite or on Microsoft Windows Vista.

Each testing voucher is redeemable for a Microsoft Business Certification Exam. Only two-year colleges are designated as testing sites for the certification exams. Advanced level online training vouchers are redeemable for training for individuals on technical professional career tracks in areas such as web development or database management.

Alabamians ages 16 and older are eligible to receive the vouchers which are available May 13 through August 13 at the local career centers on a first-come, first-served basis.

More information about the program can be found at www.owd.alabama.gov. Alabama's participation in the Microsoft's Elevate America program makes it the 19th state to take part in this groundbreaking initiative to prepare workers for the demands of a 21st century economy.



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© 2011 The Tuskegee News Tuskegee, Alabama. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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