The Albert Lea WorkForce Center has announced it is partnering with Microsoft’s Elevate America program to donate vouchers for free Microsoft E-learning for Business Worker or Technical Professional Courses or for a Microsoft Business Certificate Exam at little or no cost to eligible Minnesotans.

The vouchers will be distributed. The deadline is Aug. 24 or sooner if all the vouchers are issued. Susan Bowman, employment consultant, and local coordinator for the voucher distribution has approximately 100 vouchers, divided into four types. One for Microsoft Office Business Worker 2003 and 2007 course (Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, Outlook, Word, Windows Vista), one for an Information Technology course, and two for Microsoft Office 2003 and Office 2007 certificate exams.

Vouchers are available to people regardless of their employment status. If a person feels upgrade in computer skills would improve their job marketability, the Elevate America voucher program could well be the answer.

Minnesota is one of 25 states involved with the partnership with Microsoft. The courses are self paced and are intended for people who already have intermediate computer skills. Free online courses are available for those who want to take a beginning level course.

To be eligible for a voucher, you need to meet the following requirements:

Be a Minnesota resident

Be age 16 or older

Not be a government employee

ave intermediate computer skills

Be familiar with Microsoft applications

For more information, contact the Albert Lea WorkForce Center at 379-3409 or go to www.positivelyminnesota.com/elevateamerica.