Submitted by Washington State Library Microsoft IT Academy
More than 50 percent of today’s jobs require some degree of technology skills, and experts say that percentage will increase to 77 percent in the next decade. You can stay ahead of the curve by connecting with more than 400 online courses from the Microsoft IT Academy – FREE!
Through local public, tribal, and community and technical college libraries across the state, Washington residents now have free access to a full range of courses covering everything from basic technology skills, Microsoft Office applications to server products and development tools. At your own pace, you can gain industry leading technology skills that can help you gain the experience you need to improve your employability and advance your career. Experts tell us that 80 percent of people only use 20 percent of the features in any software program. What if you could take a two-hour class without leaving the comfort of your own home or office, and increase your knowledge of Word, Excel, Access, or SharePoint by even 50 percent? Work smarter and more effectively with Microsoft IT Academy’s free online courses.
Ready to get started? The training is online, so you can access it anytime, from anywhere you have a computer with an Internet connection. To get started, you will need to create a Microsoft account and then access the IT Academy from your local public library. Most libraries provide access through their website, complete with detailed instructions on how to get connected.
Find your local library by clicking here, and get started today!
“The first time I spent 20 minutes searching for the Out of Office Assistant in Outlook as I was trying to get out the door before my vacation, I was leaning toward taking the Outlook 2013 Essentials course. A month later when I had to hunt for it again, I was convinced. It’s been time well spent,” said Judy Pitchford of Mantis Graphix, a small Tumwater start-up, “I really liked that the courses were divided into really short segments, some of them only one or two minutes. I can log in knowing I only have five or ten minutes to spend with it, and still get something useful almost every time.”
The courses are self-pacing, which means the site keeps track of where you left off every time. And there are practice exercises and assessments throughout so you can “test” your knowledge to make sure you’re getting it.
Caryn Fosnaugh, Workforce Development Director at WorkForce Central in Tacoma sees clearly what a boost the online courses can be for the right person. “For my clients, many of whom are changing careers or have been unemployed more than 6 months, Microsoft certification is significant. It’s a way to prove to hiring managers that they have the skills the employers are looking for.” “Plus,” she adds, “That Microsoft logo on a resume really catches the eye.”
“The best thing is, they can print course completion certificates for each of the courses when they finish and take them to the interview. It not only shows that the candidate has the skills and can prove it, but the fact that he or she took the courses on their own demonstrates good time management skills and a commitment to lifelong learning. They know the importance of keeping their skills current, to not only get the interview, but get the job.” Adds Fosnaugh, “If there’s one thing this recession has taught business, it’s the importance of hiring people who are willing to learn and adapt to new ideas. Employees willing to take the initiative professionally to stay competitive build companies who do the same for their marketplace. Who wouldn’t hire someone like that?”
Tamara Georgick, the technology manager at the Washington State Historical Society was excited to hear about the free courses. Georgick worked with State Library staff to create a customized learning plan for her staff just as she was upgrading their computers from Office 2007 to 2013 and from Vista to Windows 7. “We added the courses for the Office software they use the most, Word, Outlook, and Excel. Staff were happy to have the opportunity to take additional courses, such as PowerPoint and Access as needed. It’s saved our agency thousands of dollars because the training was free. Because the videos are divided into short clips, staff can view them without a huge time commitment all at once, so it doesn’t negatively affect their productivity. It is nice to offer self-paced training to give people tools to lessen the anxiety of introducing new software. Even experienced users have reported that they picked up new tips and tricks from watching the videos.”
Spread the word and tell us your story! This resource was funded by the State Legislature for all Washingtonians, and is supported by the Washington State Library (a division of the Office of the Secretary of State), and local Washington libraries. The State Library is collecting stories from people who use the IT Academy resources to improve their job or life skills. You could be featured in the news or on the State Library’s blog or Facebook page! Send your stories and feedback to Elizabeth Iaukea, the State Library’s Microsoft IT Academy project manager at elizabeth.iaukea@sos.wa.gov.
