Posted by Pamela Passman
Corporate Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs
Today marks an important milestone in Microsoft’s effort to provide technology training to at least two million people over the next three years.
At the downtown Seattle office of WorkSource, a public-private partnership dedicated to addressing Washington state’s employment needs, Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith and I joined Washington Governor Chris Gregoire to announce that Microsoft will provide 30,000 vouchers for free technology training and certification exams to individuals across the state.
This makes Washington the debut state for Elevate America, which we are in the process of rolling out across the country.
As I blogged in February, Elevate America is a new Microsoft initiative that will — over the next three years — provide at least two million people with the technology training needed to succeed in the 21st-century economy. Working in partnership with state agencies, the program offers immediate access to basic technology literacy and skills training via our Web site. Elevate America also provides vouchers for intermediate and higher level training and Microsoft business certifications that will improve recipients’ employment prospects for years to come.
Beginning today, Washington residents can request and access vouchers at locations designated by Washington State Employment Security and at WorkSource offices statewide. For additional information, including specific locations and contact information, go to www.go2worksource.com.
If you live in other parts of the country, the Elevate America Web site will keep you apprised of our progress introducing the program in other regions and will provide contact information if you have additional questions.
We’d love to hear your feedback on the program, so please leave a comment if you want to share your thoughts.