Job Seekers in Herkimer, Madison, Oneida Counties Can Receive Free Technology Training

Workforce Investment Board Executive Director Alice Savino today announced that the local Working Solutions One-Stop Career Centers are offering free technology training through a partnership among the WIB, the New York State Department of Labor and Microsoft Corp.

The “Microsoft Elevate America” program has courses ranging from basic technology literacy to intermediate- and advanced-level technology skills training. Microsoft is distributing training vouchers for online training and certification through One-Stop Career Centers across the state. Courses range from basic technology literacy to intermediate- and advanced-level technology skills training. A portion of the vouchers will be issued to New York State residents for Microsoft Certification Exams, at no cost to the recipients.

“Technology skills are an essential component of more and more jobs in many sectors, including health care, financial services and logistics,” Savino said. “The “Elevate America” training vouchers can give job seekers an edge when they are applying for jobs, because they will have the skills employers want and need.”

Savino said that anyone interested in training through the Microsoft Elevate America program should contact a Working Solutions Career Center:

Herkimer County: Working Solutions One-Stop Career Center, 320 N. Prospect Street
Herkimer, New York 13350. Phone: (315) 867-1400

Madison County: Working Solutions One-Stop Career Center, 1006 Oneida Plaza Drive
Oneida, New York 1342. Phone: (315) 363-2400

Oneida County: Working Solutions One Stop Center, New York State Office Building, 2nd Floor, 207 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501. Phone: (315) 793-2229. (Utica and Rome customers are asked to contact the Utica office for this program.)

Working Solutions has available vouchers for Microsoft Windows and Office online training, vouchers for Microsoft Business Certification Exams, and vouchers for advanced technical professional-level online training:

• Each training voucher is redeemable for free online training in Microsoft Windows, or one of the programs in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Each certification exam voucher is redeemable for a Microsoft Business Certification Exam.
• Advanced technical professional-level vouchers are redeemable for free online training for people in career tracks such as web development or database management.

Any area resident may request a voucher by registering at Working Solutions. Vouchers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, through June 24, 2010. Users will have 12 months from the date of their voucher activation to access the e-learning courses. Vouchers for exams are only valid until June 24, 2010.  More information about the "Elevate America" program is available on the New York State Department of Labor's web site at http://www.labor.ny.gov/workforcenypartners/elevate_america.shtm.