One-Stop Career Center offers vouchers for Microsoft courses
The San Benito County One-Stop Career Center is working with
unemployed residents to obtain new skills by offering occupational
training vouchers in a variety of industries.
The voucher program comes on the heels of San Benito being named
one of the highest stress counties, due to a high number of
foreclosures, bankruptcy and unemployment rates.
One-Stop Career Center offers vouchers for Microsoft courses
The San Benito County One-Stop Career Center is working with unemployed residents to obtain new skills by offering occupational training vouchers in a variety of industries.
The voucher program comes on the heels of San Benito being named one of the highest stress counties, due to a high number of foreclosures, bankruptcy and unemployment rates.
The unemployment rate was last reported at 21.1 percent in the county, and it is the second highest Workforce Investment area in the state.
One of the vouchers available is for the Microsoft Elevate America Program. The Microsoft Elevate America Program is a partnership between the State of California and Microsoft. The purpose of the program is to provide a no-cost opportunity for customers to increase their technology skills.
This is a national program and San Benito County has received 341 vouchers to be redeemed by customers to complete Microsoft’s online courses and Microsoft business certification exams.
The distribution of the vouchers will take place through June 7.Â
Customers who are assigned vouchers during this period must “Activate” their voucher online before June 8, but will have 12 months to complete the online learning course. Customers who are assigned “Certification Exam” vouchers during the distribution period must complete their exam by June 8.
To access information regarding the Microsoft Elevate America Program online courses and to find certification exam sites, go to www.microsoft.com/elevateamerica.
The San Benito County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has adopted the Individual Training Accounts (ITA) Policy to increase customer’s skills in their efforts to compete in high growth career opportunities. These trainings will lead to earning a certificate through a certified training institution.
A training scholarship can only be issued for certified courses published in the statewide Eligible Training Providers List (ETPL) or with an accredited community college.
Trainings vary from biotech, nursing, solar panel installation, medical assistant and truck river, but include other industries as well. A series of ongoing employment readiness training workshops are provided on a regular basis as an additional resource to our customers.
Most of the classes are available within commuting distance through various approved vocational colleges. Training may last from one month up to a year depending on the skills to be learned. Paid tuition as well as books and certain supplies will be covered up to the current maximum of $3,500.
At the successful completion of the program, participants receive a certificate and job placement assistance.
For more information, contact the San Benito One-Stop Career Center at 637-JOBS (5627) or Enrique Arreola at 637-9293.
