Elevate America Initiative Announced

ELEVATE AMERICA PROGRAM COMES TO WHEELING AREA

WHEELING, W.Va. - Microsoft is teaming with Regional Economic Development (RED) Partnership, West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) and Northern Panhandle Workforce Investment Board (NPWIB) to provide area residents with free technology training. The program is called “Elevate America.”

Today through August 23, the residents of the northern panhandle can request a free voucher for online training and certification courses in Microsoft programs through WVNCC in cooperation with Workforce West Virginia. Vouchers are available at all WVNCC campuses. Two types of training vouchers are available: those teaching the basics of Microsoft Windows and Office products such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint; and those offering more advanced training for individuals who work, or want to work, in the field of Information Technology.

“We are pleased to team with Microsoft on such an important program that will give to the residents of our area the opportunity to earn an important certificate,” said Karri Mulhern, workforce manager of RED. “For our region to compete, the workforce in the area must be trained with the latest technology.”

WVNCC leaders believe the partnerships will prove valuable to all involved. “Working with RED and Microsoft to train our residents is part of the mission of WVNCC,” said J. Michael Koon, vice president of economic and workforce development at WVNCC. “We look forward to facilitating the training and testing of local participants of ‘Elevate America’.”

RED Partnership exists to create business opportunities in the Wheeling region, including Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties by generating new jobs and stimulating the economy. RED Partnership is a full-service entity for development programs as well as business environment, demographic, economic and community information.