July 8, 2010 – Workforce Alliance is working with Workforce Florida Inc., the Agency for Workforce Innovation and Microsoft® to provide free technology training to Palm Beach County residents in a program titled the Microsoft Elevate America® program.

Microsoft donated over 3,000 vouchers for no-cost, online technology training and certification to be distributed by Workforce Alliance to Palm Beach County residents who request them.

Those who wish to pursue the no-cost training and certification can obtain an electronic voucher application by visiting the Workforce Alliance website, www.pbcalliance.com and clicking on the “Microsoft® Elevate America” icon, or by visiting any of the three Workforce Alliance Career Centers in Palm Beach County to request a voucher.

The on-line training opportunities include 1,326 E-Learning vouchers, 1,236 Business Certificate Exam vouchers, and 342 IT (Information Technology) Professional vouchers. 

The E-Learning courses are self-paced and offer beginning and intermediate training on Microsoft Windows products, and the IT Professional vouchers are for courses tailored to the needs of individuals on technical professional career tracks in areas such as web development or database management.

The vouchers will be available through August 21, 2010 or until supplies are exhausted. All vouchers must be activated by August 21 and certification exam vouchers must be activated and used by the same date. The E-Learning vouchers are good for 12 months after the date of activation. The government cost for each voucher averages $60 and the market rate is about $85.

“Elevate America is a great opportunity for employees and businesses in our community,” said Kathryn Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Alliance.  “This program will give our workforce the training and the nationally-recognized certification needed to qualify for employment in the Palm Beach County industries that tie us to the increasingly high-tech global economy.”