Free Microsoft Training

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Permalink Reply by Martin Hanlin on June 9, 2010 at 8:04am

Overview of Elevate America Resources
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Microsoft is offering resources to build the technology skills of individuals in two major forms. 1) Free, on-line digital literacy courses and 2) vouchers to increase skill development in Microsoft products.
Digital Literacy
If you are new to computers, Microsoft offers FREE on-line tutorials on basic computer skills. It is recommended that you utilize these tools before accessing a voucher.

• The Basic curriculum features a course called A First Course Toward Digital Literacy. This course teaches absolute beginners to computing about what a valuable tool computers can be in society today, and the basics of using the mouse and the keyboard.
Microsoft Digital Literacy Standard curriculum. Short tutorials on Microsoft Office 2003 or examples and screen shots from Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft Windows Vista.
The Advanced curriculum features several courses that expand on what learners mastered in the Standard curriculum. These courses explore core topics like writing a resume, social networking, creating an internet e-mail account, and searching the internet.
Windows Vista and Office 2007 e-learning modules are available as part of the Digital Literacy curriculum. Choose this training if you are already familiar with a computer and are interested in navigating the core capabilities of both Windows Vista and Office 2007 with confidence. You can use the assessment tools for Vista and Office 2007 to determine where you need to develop additional skills.
Multiple languages: The Standard Digital Literacy curriculum is currently available in over 30 languages. The Basic and Advanced courses are in development and will be available in other languages in the near future. This page will be updated when other languages are available.
Skill Development in Microsoft Products
Microsoft will provide 26,000 vouchers to Ohio for individuals to participate in intermediate technology skills training through E-Learning courses and Microsoft Certification exams. Each voucher equals one on-line course or a course collection or an exam.

33,125 E-Learning Vouchers
• 26,500 individual vouchers for Microsoft E-Learning – Office Products (Business Worker): Each voucher will allow a single user to redeem one e-learning collection. An e-learning collection is made up of several e-learning courses. The voucher code can only be used once. Users can choose courses in the following curriculums:
o Office 2003 (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook)
o Windows Vista & Office 2007 (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook)
• 6,625 individual vouchers for Microsoft E-Learning -- IT Professional Products: Please note that these vouchers have all been issued and are no longer available.
26,500 Certification Exam Vouchers
• 26,500 individual vouchers for Business Certification exams: Each voucher would enable a single user to pursue a certification on the coursework completed above. Microsoft will provide 13,250 for Office 2003 AND 13,250 for Office 2007.

Who is eligible?
• Ohio residents may request and receive a voucher. Individuals can be unemployed or employed part-time or full-time.
• Anyone with Internet access can take advantage of the digital literacy courses on Microsoft’s website. Vouchers are not required.

How do you get a voucher?
• The vouchers will be distributed through the University System of Ohio’s Adult Workforce Education Centers. Call or visit Tri-County Adult Career Center to register for a voucher. (740) 753-5464.

• How are courses offered?
• THIS IS AN ON-LINE PROGRAM. NO CLASSROOMS. An individual participates in e-learning course through Microsoft’s Elevate America Website and uses the access code to enroll. You need access to a computer with Internet capacity to participate.
• An individual can complete the on-line course at multiple sites including an Adult Workforce Education Center, at home, or other public computing spaces providing access to a PC that meet the computing system requirements etc.



How do I get certified on Microsoft Office tools?
• Individuals with a voucher for certification exams in Microsoft 2003 or 2007 products locate testing sites through the Elevate America website and contact the nearest career center. Proctoring fees will apply and are not covered by the voucher.

How to Get Started
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Please note: Ohio residents may request and receive a voucher. Individuals can be unemployed or employed part-time or full-time
Anyone with Internet access can take advantage of the digital literacy courses on Microsoft’s website. Vouchers are not required.

Follow these steps to get started on Elevate America:
1. Review resources:
• Review resources provided on this website to help you gain more information and help decide how you can take advantage of Elevate America resources.
• Consider your current skills and the future skills you need in your work.
o If you’re new to technology, we recommend that you access the free online tutorial for basic computer skills before accessing a voucher. Learn more about Digital Literacy. These courses come in multiple languages. Click here to see instructions in Spanish and Portuguese.

• If you are not sure which type of e-learning course is right for you, learn more about how to access the free introductory courses in Microsoft Vista and Office 2007 products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Once you are on the page, click on “Windows Vista and Office 2007 Essentials” follow the instructions to use the free access code. Each course has an on-line self-assessment tool to help you understand if you need to take the introductory courses. It may also help you decide where you need more in depth skill development through an on-line course using a voucher.
2. Decide which training is best for you:
• Once you are up to speed on the basics and have narrowed down your interests in Microsoft tools, review the list of training courses available.

• You can get an E-Learning voucher for any Microsoft Vista, Office 2003 or 2007 product. If you want to receive an Elevate America e-learning voucher to take any of the training courses, call or go to your nearest Adult Workforce Education Center (hyper link to list of centers) to register.


Get Certified in Microsoft Products:
• After completing the E-Learning course, you may opt to take the certification exam. If you become proficient or are already proficient in Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 products, you may request a certification exam voucher to take the exam. You register for a certification voucher with the Adult Workforce Career Center. Here are the instructions once you have a voucher.
3. Understand how the training vouchers work:
• There are 2 types of e-learning vouchers. The list of training courses provides details on the courses available through each voucher type.
o 26,500 E-learning vouchers allow you to take online courses in Microsoft 2003 or 2007 products and are referred to as “Business Worker” vouchers.
• 6,625 vouchers from the Microsoft IT Professional Library.

• There are 2 types of certification exam vouchers. You can receive a voucher to be certified in a Microsoft 2003 or 2007products.
Each voucher allows you to take 1 training course (or course collection) or 1 certification exam. You may request more than 1 voucher or type of voucher.
• Vouchers must be requested and activated by August 26, 2010. Once the E-Learning voucher is activated, online training can be taken for 9 months after the date of activation. Certification exams, however, must be completed by August 26, 2010.
4. Please call your local Career Center to ensure that vouchers are still available. Speak with Kim Six @ (740) 753-5464.

5. Access Microsoft’s Elevate America website to activate your voucher.
You’ll be asked to do the following. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
• Set up a Windows Live ID
• Enter your voucher number
• Select a training course
• If you’re ready, you can take the E-learning course immediately.

6. Contact the following if you need help.
If you have any technical questions or need help to access the E-Learning, please contact Microsoft at (800) 636-7544 or email e-learn@microsoft.com. For questions regarding your eligibility and how to obtain a voucher, please contact tj_ksix@seovec.org

Training Courses
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E-Learning Catalog
The following online training courses are provided as part of the Elevate America program.
• Digital Literacy *
No voucher required
• Microsoft E-Learning Office Products (Business Workers)
Vouchers required.
• Microsoft E-Learning IT Professional Products
Vouchers required.
*If you intend to take one of the Certification Exams in Microsoft Office Products, you could consider taking these basic introductory courses as part of the Microsoft E-Learning Office Products for Business Workers course collections. You are welcome to take the basic courses through the free digital literacy courses to assess your skills or if you want an introduction to the product but may not want to sit for a certification exam.

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