February 11th, 2010

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2010) – Through a public-private partnership with the Microsoft Corporation, Kentucky is distributing 20,250 vouchers for free online training and certification. Gov. Steve Beshear launched Microsoft® Elevate America last month and reserved the first distribution of vouchers for unemployed workers across the state.

As of today, those vouchers are available to anyone in the Commonwealth on a first in, first out basis. More than 18,000 vouchers remain available for computer and Internet Technology training. Any citizen who meets the requirements, regardless of employment status, can now request a voucher.

Computer training ranges from basic skills, which do not require a voucher, to advanced classes that allow participants to earn Microsoft certification. Given the various levels of training available, residents can sign up for multiple courses; however, they can only sign up for one course at a time and must complete one before attempting to enroll in another.

Microsoft is working with Kentucky’s Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, to distribute 9,000 vouchers for online training, 9,000 vouchers for online testing and 2,250 vouchers for more advanced training courses. More than 2,000 vouchers were claimed in the first two weeks of the program.

Each training voucher can be used on Microsoft Windows or one of the products in the Microsoft Office Suite. Each testing voucher can be used for a Microsoft business certification exam, which, when passed, signifies a student is Microsoft certified in either Windows Vista or a specific Microsoft Office product. Advanced level vouchers are redeemable for training individuals on technical professional career tracks in areas such as Web development or data management.

The Web-based program can be accessed from any Internet-connected computer. Those without computers or Internet access in their homes can visit their local One-Stop Career Center, Adult Education Center or public library to use the computer services available at those locations. Certification exams must be taken at a proctored Certiport location. KCTCS will provide these testing sites at 13 of its campuses across the state, at no charge to the participant.

Participants must be residents of Kentucky. Employees of Kentucky State Government are not eligible. Applicants under 18 years of age must provide parental consent to participate.

Kentucky’s participation in Microsoft’s Elevate America program makes it the 12^th state to take part in this groundbreaking initiative to prepare workers for the demands of a 21^st century economy.

Elevate America is part of Microsoft’s overall Unlimited Potential efforts to improve social and economic opportunities for people and will provide technology training for up to two million people during the next three years.

For more information on how to obtain a voucher and to view a list of testing sites, visit the state’s Web portal https://kyelevateamerica.ky.gov. Kentuckians must claim their vouchers by April 27, 2010.

Participants with questions about the program can e-mail elevateamerica@ky.gov.

Visit www.oet.ky.gov to learn more about Elevate America and other career assistance and training services available through Kentucky’s workforce system.

To learn more about Microsoft’s Elevate America national program, visit www.microsoft.com/elevateamerica.

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