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Microsoft Rises To Economic Challenge With Free Tech Training

Posted by Gayle Kesten Monday, Feb 23, 2009, 03:19 PM ET

In this little corner of the Web, blogging about technology as a bona-fide small-business enabler is like preaching to the choir. But in reality, IT skills among microbusinesses are extremely diverse. I've noticed how those at the savvier end of the spectrum tend to forget how many people on the other side are struggling to understand and take part in the online world.

To that end, Microsoft has announced a new initiative it calls Elevate America, which provides free or low-cost, instructor-led online tech training that runs the gamut from computer and Internet fundamentals, to how to use Microsoft's more advanced applications, to access to certification exams.

In addition, the company will be working with state and local governments -- starting with Florida, New York, and Washington -- to help make these resources available to more than 2 million people during the next three years. (California, Minnesota, Virginia, Delaware, and Colorado are also on-board, according to an article on seattlepie.com).

The company will work with each state to determine how many and what kinds of classes and certification exams will be offered for free and at reduced prices, depending on the needs of each state. To sweeten the offering -- which, CNET's Ina Fried points out, comes one month after Microsoft announced its own first companywide layoffs -- the company plans to give away 1 million Microsoft Learning vouchers.

Pamela Passman, Microsoft's corporate VP of global affairs, cites Bureau of Labor stats estimating more than three-quarters of all jobs in the next decade will require tech skills. "It's not just scientists and engineers that need technical skills. Jobs in every industry at every level need basic proficiency with computers and other digital technologies," she says. "By providing workers and governments with free and low-cost access to technology training and certifications, Elevate America can help workers succeed in this rapidly changing economy."

Although Microsoft is positioning Elevate America at the millions of folks who are now out of work, the program certainly seems like one small businesses should take advantage of, as well.

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