Providing the skills necessary for the Digital Age

A new US based scheme has been announced by Microsoft and it goes by the name of 'Elevate America'. Microsoft will be partnering with state and local governments, private, public and community organisations to provide free to low cost resources to give jobseekers the IT related skills, training and certifications to assist them in their search for employment. As IT skills are becoming ever more important in most job sectors, Microsoft hope that this new initiative will give help to breach the shortfall in IT knowledge some people have, thus making them more employable. The scheme will be delivered in two ways, one is a new web resource, which is online presently. The other will be delivered locally. 

Elevate America's aims are to provide:

• Expanded access to basic technology literacy and skills training
• Basic-level information technology training resources through Microsoft Unlimited Potential and Digital Literacy curricula
• Intermediate technology skills training courses, online and instructor-led, plus selected certification exams
• Vouchers for eLearning course collections offered by Microsoft
• Vouchers for certification exams leading to Microsoft business certification
• Grants of cash and software to community partners to build in-classroom training capacity
• Discounted membership rates for institutions participating in the Microsoft IT Academy program
• Access to a new Web portal that will help guide individuals to training and resources that position them for success in the economy today, and tomorrow