Labor Department Joins Microsoft to Announce Free Computer Skills Training and Certification Program for Montanans

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry announced today an innovative public-private partnership with Microsoft’s Elevate America program to offer thousands of Montanans FREE computer e-learning courses on programs like Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows along with certification exams and advanced IT professional courses.

"To have a strong economy, you have to have a strong workforce and ‘Elevate America’ offers a great way for our workers to ramp up their computer readiness to have an edge in the job market," said Governor Brian Schweitzer.

"We are excited to be joining with Microsoft in this effort to give our citizens the opportunity for free computer training and certification," said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. "It will help make our workers more marketable to employers."

Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry will make voucher codes for free access to Microsoft e-learning programs available to the public starting today, Thursday, May 20 on the website: http://www.jobs.mt.gov click on ‘Elevate America’

Notice of voucher availability will also be printed on all Montana unemployment checks and will appear in a scrolling banner on the UI website.

"Elevate America will help to equip people in Montana with the crucial technology skills necessary to get a job in today’s competitive workplace," said Tori Locke, Western Region General Manager, State and Local Government, Microsoft Corporation. "We believe that this type of public-private partnership will play an important role in rebuilding Montana and the nation’s economy by offering immediate access to technology literacy and skills training to improve recipients’ employment prospects."

There are 2500 vouchers for Microsoft e-learning courses, 2500 vouchers for Microsoft business certification courses and 625 vouchers for access to selected advanced IT professional courses.

The online vouchers will allow free access to Microsoft e-learning courses and certification exams:

* Each training voucher is redeemable for free, online training on one Microsoft Windows Vista or of the programs in the Microsoft Office Suite.

* Each testing voucher is redeemable a Microsoft Business Certification Exam.

* 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.

One e-learning voucher can be redeemed for one e-learning "collection". An e-learning collection is made up of several e-learning courses. Once an e-learning collection is activated, a person will have 12 months of access and use of the courses.

Certification takes place through Certiport sites will be available for 90-days (ending on August 18, 2010) at various locations statewide, to find a local Certiport testing location near you, visit the website http://www.jobs.mt.gov.

Microsoft announced the "Elevate America" program at the National Governor’s Association Winter Conference in February 2009. The initiative is expected to provide up to 1 million vouchers nationwide for Microsoft e-Learning courses and select Microsoft certification exams at no or low cost to recipients. The program, part of Microsoft’s overall Unlimited Potential efforts to improve social and economic opportunities for people, will provide technology training for up to two million people during the next three years.

Casey Kyler-West

Communications Director

Department of Labor & Industry

444-1520

[email protected]