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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear encourages participation in free technology training
Microsoft’s Elevate America program vouchers only available two more weeks
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear is making a final push today to encourage Kentuckians seeking new job skills and resources to participate in Elevate America. The program, offered through a public-private partnership with Microsoft, is providing free technology training ranging from basic skills to Microsoft certification. The deadline to sign up and get started is April 27, 2010.
“We live in a time when basic computer skills are essential for almost every profession,” said Gov. Beshear. “By offering free technology training, we can equip those most in need with the tools necessary to be competitive for high-skilled, high-paying jobs.”
More than 6,000 Kentuckians have already taken advantage of the vouchers by logging on to https://kyelevateamerica.ky.gov/. Kentucky’s Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, has several thousand vouchers left to distribute.
The training will enable a person who has never used a computer to gain a level of comfort and understanding with 21st Century computing, as well as give the long-time computer user a certification to use in landing a job or to enhance a resume.
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. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is providing 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. Vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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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