LAKE COUNTY – On March 10, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched Microsoft’s Elevate America program in California.

Elevate America has been implemented across the nation for over a year and aims to prepare America for jobs in the 21st Century.

Microsoft provided California with 166,500 vouchers for a variety of trainings. There are vouchers for e-learning for Microsoft programs such as Windows, Word, Excel and PowerPoint; vouchers for IT professionals such as computer technicians and systems engineers; and exam vouchers for Microsoft certification. Certifications are for Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007.

Basic digital literacy is needed to complete these e-learning courses For a free computer skills assessment and free digital literacy tutorials, visit www.microsoft.com/elevateamerica.

Then, to claim a voucher, participants are recommended to visit their local Lake One-Stop so additional information can be given. Lake One-Stop offices are located at 55 First St., Lakeport, telephone 707-263-0630, or 4477 Moss Ave. Suite A in Clearlake, telephone 707-994-0633.

For a detailed breakdown of jobs associated with this type of training, visit www.microsoft.com/learning/education/roadmap/.

For assistance, those interested may call Microsoft at 800-636-7544 from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. An “MCP” number will be requested, but ignore that request; you don’t need this number. Or, send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All vouchers must be activated by June 8, 2010. If a participant has claimed an exam voucher, they must take the exam on or before June 8.

Call or visit a Lake One-Stop office nearest you for the details and to find out how to claim your free technology training voucher.