Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that North Carolina will join forces with Microsoft in an innovative, public-private partnership to provide free technology training to individuals across the state. The Governor joined Gail Thomas Flynn, Microsoft’s Vice President of State and Local Government, at the Harris Campus of Central Piedmont Community College to applaud the unique partnership titled “Microsoft Elevate America.”
“This partnership will provide North Carolinians with another opportunity to retrain for today’s new economy,” Gov. Perdue said. “At a time when businesses are seeking a highly qualified, well trained workforce, Elevate America can provide potential employees with new skills to succeed.”
Microsoft is partnering with the North Carolina Community College System, the Division of Workforce Development in the N.C. Department of Commerce and the N.C. Employment Security Commission to distribute a total of 23,700 training vouchers during the next 90 days across the state. Courses range from basic technology literacy to intermediate-level technology skills. A portion of the vouchers will be issued to North Carolina residents for Microsoft Certification Exams, all at no cost to the recipients.
“Elevate America adds to the range of resources available to people who are looking to develop or enhance their current skills to meet the demands of the current job market,” said Gail Thomas Flynn, Microsoft’s Vice President of State and Local Government. “Microsoft believes that this type of public-private partnership plays an integral role in building the economy in North Carolina - and the nation - through access to technology training that can open doors to employment opportunity.”
North Carolina will receive 10,500 vouchers for Microsoft Windows and Office online training, 10,500 vouchers for Microsoft Business Certification Exams, and 2,700 vouchers for advanced technical professional level online training:
- Each training voucher is redeemable for free online training in Microsoft Windows, or one of the programs in the Microsoft Office suite.
- Each certification exam voucher is redeemable for a Microsoft Business Certification Exam.
- Advanced technical professional level vouchers are redeemable for free online training for individuals in technical professional career tracks in areas such as web development or database management.
Any North Carolina resident may request and receive a voucher. The vouchers will be distributed through the North Carolina Community College System, the Division of Workforce Development in the N.C. Department of Commerce and the N.C. Employment Security Commission. Vouchers will be available to citizens across the state on a first-come, first-served basis starting today.
Microsoft Vice President Pamela Passman announced the “Microsoft Elevate America” program at the National Governor’s Conference in February. 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 is designed to provide technology training for up to 2 million people during the next three years. North Carolina’s participation in the program makes it the eighth state to take part in this groundbreaking initiative.
For additional information regarding the Microsoft vouchers and locations where citizens can obtain a voucher in North Carolina, visit https://secure.ncjoblinkmis.com/ and click on the Microsoft Elevate America link.