This was just announced - I think that this is a fantastic program - a chance for people to learn new skills and find a job to support themselves and their families!
Pamela Passman, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President for Global Corporate Affairs, announced a new initiative yesterday:
Elevate America will provide unemployed American workers with immediate access to free and low-cost tools and training designed to build critical job skills needed in today’s economy.
Microsoft Learning will provide one million training and certification vouchers to help individuals acquire and hone skills, differentiate themselves, and get a job. Additionally, all Americans can now access a new online resource to find information and resources that will help them obtain necessary technical skills for jobs today and in the future. Participating state and local governments can also choose from a selection of offerings to make available to their citizens through designated partners. Key Microsoft Learning components of Elevate America include:
Visit Elevate America to learn more, or join the Elevate America twitter to stay informed!
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Randy Muller, MCT, MCSE, MCSA, MCDST, is currently an instructor with Global Knowledge, specializing in teaching Certification Boot Camps as well as courses on Exchange, Server 2008 and Office Communications Server.
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Very Good Move
too keep wages at a reasonable rate (less than $60 k) with benefits for senior experience MS people in the USA. Otherwise, MS and it's customers will need to continue to outsource to other countries or continue a battle to increase the H1B visas. They spent the last two decades searching for people rather than training people inside of the USA.
MS Vouchers
I tried clicking on the various links in this article, but could not find any information on student vouchers. Their were discounts offered, payment and enrollment info, but no vouchers.
What Microsoft doesn't say
The training vouchers can be used for one full year. BUT, the vouchers for the exams expire within about 3 months.
The program started in Washington state in May and is already ended. If people didn't ask for vouchers within a small window of time, it's too late to either take the online classes.
BUT, now of course they can pay to take the classes.
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