Pamela Passman, our Corporate Vice President for Global Corporate Affairs, announced a new initiative yesterday:
Elevate America provides 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.
I’m very proud of my team’s contributions: 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!
Posted by Krosen
Monday, February 23, 2009 12:42 PM by Ben Watson (Microsoft Learning)
Just to add to Ken s comments, the e-Learning vouchers are for e-Learning *collections* so people will get access to several courses in each collection with an average collection retail value of US$350. Any of our collections are available under this initiative (the rare exception is where we don t own the IP etc). Each state who joins the Elevate America program will decide how to disburse their share of the vouchers.
This initiative also complements our world-wide Second Shot campaign where anyone who signs up for Second Shot can also get any one e-Learning collection for US$35 (an average of around 90% discount).
So any way that you look at it, Microsoft Learning is really stepping up and helping those in need around the world. Of course, this is about offering training on Microsoft software cause we are Microsoft <grin>. I can only hope that other IT companies do the same.
Sincerely,
Ben
Ben Watson
Director, Learning Products & Services
Microsoft Learning
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 2:23 PM by Kenneth R. Skinner
I am retired but build computers and have given some to elderly people to help them get on the internet. I have trouble configuring them, and would like to get more training in this field. I have bought the book, (Expensive)
Windows Vista Resource Kit, 2nd. Edition, but it still doesnt tell me what I need to know.
I need more of a hands on, step by step book or course on what to do when Vista wont load, or other programs. Thank You.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 2:55 PM by Ken Jones
To answer Kenneth Skinner s request for a more hands-on Vista book, we can highly recommend Windows Vista Inside Out by Ed Bott, Carl Siechert, and Craig Stinson.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 5:06 PM by wong yau
Just add this to get information on it. thanks for the good info
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 5:23 PM by mikkel
nice now i can learn how 2 use blogs
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 12:57 PM by Jordan
Kenneth,
The Vista Resource Kit Volume 2 is over 1500 pages and a majority chunk of that is Enterprise level information.
If you want to hone your skills on Consumer level stuff, look into the training guides for 70-620 Configuring Vista Client and 70-623 Consumer Support Technician for Vista Client.
Even if you dont take the exams, the books can help establish a good skillset.
Thursday, February 26, 2009 3:13 PM by Robert Bole
I really congratulate Microsoft on Elevate America and the package of services that you are pulling together. I think it wise to match existing technology/programs that Microsoft has with the subject of building out more IT skills in America.
However, one thing that I notice is that your approach is very "enterprise level" meaning focused on the systematic infrastructure markets of education, workforce development. Again, I think that a wise first move.
However, in this particular time of economic stress are you going to push a more direct to consumer strategy? What you have now is well presented, designed and very functional, but for a very "khaki-pant" crowd. Do you have interest in working on an adoption strategy with community groups, nonprofits or other widely distributed organizations?
Monday, March 02, 2009 6:52 PM by PMello
I ve signed up for Second Shot, and have purchased some collections. Now, how can I get help paying for MCTS exams?
Monday, March 16, 2009 12:15 PM by Andrew
We are an Atlanta-based Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions. We have been actively exploring ways to reach out to our community to provide skills update training - similar to what this program seems to do.
As we already have the learning infrastructure in place, are there any roles designed for the existing Microsoft CPLS network within this program? It would seem as though we would be good candidates to provide the instructor-led training, spread the word, etc.