Microsoft's Elevate America

Microsoft has made a corporate commitment to strengthen the U.S. economy and increase global competitiveness by improving access to education and workforce-readiness skills required for twenty-first-century jobs. To support this commitment, Microsoft launched Elevate America, an initiative designed to provide 1 million vouchers for Microsoft E-Learning courses and select Microsoft Certification exams at no cost to recipients. Elevate America will be implemented in cooperation with states across the country as part of the company's overall effort to help train 2 million people over the next three years.

Elevate America is being implemented in Northwest Michigan through Northwest Michigan WORKS! The program provides a no-cost opportunity for individuals residing in the 10 counties of Northwest Michigan to increase their technology skills. Vouchers are available and may be utilized to complete Microsoft online courses and Microsoft business certification exams.

If you are new to computing, you can get started without a voucher. Go to the Microsoft Elevate America web site and click on "New to Computing."

For Microsoft Office and Professional Information Technology courses, you can receive a free voucher. Three types of vouchers are available:

Microsoft Office- These vouchers are used to complete online courses for Microsoft Office 2003 or Office 2007 products. These courses are for individuals who use, or will use, these Microsoft products with their work. All of the courses are self paced, so individuals do not have to complete a course in one sitting. Each voucher is good for a set of e-learning courses in one Microsoft product, i.e. Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.

Microsoft IT Professional- These vouchers are used to complete online courses for individuals who use, or will use, Microsoft professional information technology applications including server administration, web and application programming, and other professional technical areas. This series of online courses is specifically designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to pass Microsoft Technical Certification exams. Each collection of courses is focused on a single Microsoft product, such as Windows Server, SQL Server, Share-Point, and Visual Studio. Each voucher gives you access to one course. Click here for a comprehensive list of IT Professional courses.

Click here to request enrollment and to receive a voucher for your participation in these e-learning programs.

Vouchers for Microsoft Business Certification Exams are available upon request. Exams must be taken at a Certiport Testing Center. Testing Centers may charge an additional proctor fee, usually between $10-$20. The voucher only covers the cost of the exam. Any additional fees will be the responsibility of the individual taking the exam. Vouchers must be used for an exam before April 11, 2010.

Click here to request an exam voucher.