Redmond, Washington — Software behemoth Microsoft Corp. rolled out a new initiative entitled “Elevate America” an online website focused on imparting job training effort aimed at giving technical skills to as many as 2 million Americans over the next three years “needed to succeed in the 21st-century economy.”
The site offers wealth of information to help individuals acquire the technical skills needed for acquiring jobs, the world’s largest software company said.
The most essential part of the program, in which Microsoft is offering free certification and other technical training, is being done in a phased approach, starting with Washington state. The second component of “Elevate America,” available online thereafter, is a Web site designed to help people with the basics such as creating a resume and send e-mail.
“Millions of individuals do not have the technical skills needed in today’s economy. Through Elevate America, we want to help workers get the skills they need to succeed,” Pamela Passman, Microsoft’s VP for corporate affairs, said in a statement.
Visitors to the Elevate America website can avail access to Microsoft’s online training programs, instructing people on how to use email and the Internet as well more advanced Microsoft certifications.
The Elevate America program is divided into two parts. One is intended at helping people avail free technical training and certification, and is more formal in nature. The second one is available online and is proposed for teaching simpler skills, such as writing email and using the internet. The more advanced technical program will be introduced in over an initial period and will be started in Washington State.
As part of this initiative, the company is also announcing one million free “Microsoft Learning” vouchers for people interested in gaining technical certifications. It is also giving cash and software to community partners to build classroom training space and offering discounted memberships to institutions who participate in the “Microsoft IT Academy.” To start off the effort, Microsoft is working with state governments in Florida, New York and Washington.
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said of the program, “At the federal, state and local level, leaders are working together to help start the engine of economic growth. The private sector provides much of the spark needed to jump-start that engine. Washington state is pleased to be the first state to partner with Microsoft to provide Elevate America to our residents.”
“We are also providing a full range of work force development resources for state and local governments so they can offer specialized training for their workers,” said Passman.
The economy has so far slashed down 3.6 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007 with about half of the decline occurring in the past three months, recent Labor Department figures showed.
So far it is not apparent just how much the program will cost Microsoft. “The total value of the investments will depend on the number of vouchers that will be utilized, and the mix of courses and certifications taken,” a company representative said in an e-mail. “The investment also includes cash grant and software donations to community-based organizations to enhance their technology capacity to deliver these programs.”
But not everyone is impressed, with Alley Insider saying it is more about driving Microsoft certifications. “Promising to “elevate” the country with such a transparently self-serving program seems a bit of a PR reach,” writes Eric Krangel.
Nevertheless, the announcement comes on the heels of the first layoffs ever announced by Microsoft, so it should understand the difficult job situation faced my many Americans. Although there is sure to be a marketing element to this program, knowing Microsoft, it still may be a way for some Americans to gain more skills and compete for better jobs.