Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works! is offering free vouchers for Microsoft office programs.  The vouchers are through Microsoft’s Elevate America initiative, Microsoft’s corporate commitment to strengthen the U.S. economy and increase global competitiveness by improving access to education and workforce-readiness skills required for twenty-first-century jobs.

To support this commitment, Microsoft launched Elevate America, an initiative designed to provide 1 million vouchers for Microsoft E-Learning courses and select Microsoft Certification exams at no cost to recipients.

The Kalamazoo-St Joseph County Michigan Works! Agency is implementing Elevate America for residents of Kalamazoo and St Joseph counties. This is a self directed initiative for residents to use free vouchers to upgrade their technology skills or certifications via Microsoft online trainings and Microsoft business exams. Note: You must have a functioning email address/account to participate.

To learn more and request free vouchers go to www.mweskal.org and follow the link.

Michigan Works! is a customer focused statewide workforce development system that prepares individuals for work.  Assistance is available to employers and job seekers to ensure that employers are provided with a supply of skilled workers and individuals are provided with an opportunity to advance knowledge and skills to achieve economic self-sufficiency.  Michigan Works! receives funding from federal and state governments through the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.

For more information on Michigan Works! visit the Michigan Works! Service Center in Kalamazoo at 1601 S. Burdick Street, or in Three Rivers at 16587 Enterprise Drive.  Information can also be obtained by visiting the Michigan Works! web page at www.upjohn.org/miworks or www.michiganworks.org