TRENTON, May 26, 2010 — Today Commissioner Harold J. Wirths announced a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) and Microsoft to begin a new training program to give New Jersey residents free access to technology training.

Through its Elevate America program, Microsoft is joining with LWD to provide 22, 500 vouchers for online training and certification in various Microsoft programs. The vouchers will be distributed to unemployed and underemployed New Jerseyans through the state’s One-Stop Career Centers.

“The Elevate America initiative offers valuable training for New Jersey job seekers and certification in significant skills that will give job seekers and workers a competitive edge in the job market,” said Wirths. “This public-private partnership will advance the capabilities of our workforce and ensure that New Jersey workers have the specific skills that meet the needs of the new and existing businesses in our state.”

New Jersey’s One-Stop Career Centers will distribute the 22,500 training vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis.

The computer training offered ranges from basic skills to advanced courses that allow participants to earn Microsoft certification. 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. The advanced technical professional-level vouchers are redeemable for free online training for workers or job seekers in IT career tracks such as Web development or database management.

Commissioner Wirths, joined by Microsoft representatives Jay Summerson, Northeast Government Affairs Director, and Beth DeHaven, Director, Mid-Atlantic State and Local Government, made today’s announcement at the Labor Building in Trenton, to a meeting of One-Stop directors and operators.

“Elevate America helps equip people with the crucial technology skills necessary to get a job in today’s competitive workplace,” said Microsoft’s Beth DeHaven. “We believe that this type of public-private partnership will play an important role in rebuilding New Jersey’s and the nation’s economy by offering immediate access to basic technology literacy skills training to ultimately improve recipients’ employment prospects.”

Elevate America, part of  Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential commitment, is expected to provide up to one million vouchers nationwide for Microsoft e-Learning courses and select Microsoft certification exams at no or low cost to recipients. Go to www.microsoft.com/elevateamerica to learn more.

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