More Vouchers 8/27

I called DCEO and requested more vouchers from every level. I should have them today. Please put a comment to this post to let me know how many more you want and what type. Before you do that, check your IWN account, because I may have already assigned you additional vouchers. As I promised, I will continue to search out additional vouchers on your behalf.

Elevate America Press Release, WCC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 25, 2009
Waubonsee Issues Vouchers for Free Computer Classes and Exams
Sugar Grove – Waubonsee Community College is issuing vouchers for free online Microsoft computer courses and certification exams as part of the Elevate American Initiative. Started by Microsoft, the initiative aims to provide free technology training for up to one million people nationwide, including 51,000 people in Illinois.
Different vouchers are being issued for different training and certification needs. Some vouchers can be redeemed for online courses in any Microsoft software suite. Individuals with an advanced knowledge of a particular Microsoft program can get a voucher to take a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) exam, a credential that can be an asset in a job search.
Current Waubonsee students can get vouchers from the college’s Business and Information Systems Division by calling Sarah Dwinnells at (630) 466-7900, ext. 2263 or e-mailing sdwinnells@waubonsee.edu. Other residents of Waubonsee’s district can get vouchers by calling Judith Sotir at (630) 801-7900, ext. 4128 or e-mailing jsotir@waubonsee.edu. Vouchers will be available until Oct. 31.

Clarification, EA Vouchers and Registration

You will have one year from the date that you register your vouchers online to complete the program. Therefore, if you register your voucher on 10/30/09, you will be able to use the voucher until 10/30/10. However, ALL vouchers that are NOT registered will expire on 10/31/09. Remember to register your vouchers so you don't lose them.

New Directions for Accessing EA Vouchers

New step-by-step Elevate America Online Course Instructions are available on Illinois workNet. Instructions with screen shots are included for 1) entering Elevate America online course vouchers for the first time, 2) using Elevate America vouchers to add additional courses and 3) returning to Elevate America courses you have already started.These instructions can be found in the Elevate America Resources (Providing Customer Guidance) and Frequently Requested Documents on the workforce professionals pathway, as well as multiple places on the individual pathway.

New Vouchers!!!

I received some additional vouchers for Business Worker and Certification Test. I assigned what I had to those who requested additional vouchers. I will still likely get more in September, so if you did not receive them now, contact me next month. I did not receive more IT Professional vouchers yet. If you would like to see if there are more vouchers available from an additional site, try elevateamerica@lumity.org. Tamara Springle or Lahesha Williams at that site may be able to assign those that Lumity has available. If I find out about any other sources of vouchers, I will let you know. I'm trying to get everyone what they requested, but the Business Professional vouchers are very limited. Please see the post on Testing Site Information for dates and times for testing at WCC.

ACTC Information

Please remember that we have many courses to help you build your skills to stay current in the workplace. In addition to basic computer, Internet and email training classes we also offer beginning and intermediate Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint and Quick Books Pro. Programs for your job search needs such as Job Preparedness, Resume Writing, or Job Search and specialty classes (digital photography, web site creation, social networking for business etc) round out our services. We want to help you succeed. A current schedule of classes can be found in the left column of this blog, under 'ACTC Schedule'. or you can call us at 630-906-4248 and we will be happy to help you find classes that meet your needs.

Certification Testing Dates, Waubonsee Community College

The following dates have been set for certification tests on Elevate America Microsoft Office (Business Worker vouchers). You will need to contact either me (Judith Sotir) or my staff at 630-906-4248 for appointments. These tests are given by appointment ONLY. All certification tests will be administered at the Waubonsee Sugar Grove Campus, in the Henning Computer Center. In addition to making an appointment, you will need to have your voucher number and to show up at the specified time. You will be turned away if you show up late or without your voucher number. You have two chances to pass the test per voucher, and can take one test per session. Please note that there are TWO testing sessions per date, and you'll need to tell me which session wish to register. If you need additional vouchers, call me. I wish you all good luck!

These are the dates and times that are currently scheduled:

Date         Session A    Session B
September 9 9:00 AM    11:30 AM
September 17 1:00 PM   3:30 PM
September 24 5:00 PM   7:30 PM

October 1 1:00 PM         3:30 PM
October 8 1:00 PM         3:30 PM
October 15 5:00 PM       7:30 PM
October 27 1:00 PM       3:30 PM
October 28 9:00 AM      11:30 AM
October 29 5:00 PM       7:30 PM

Voucher Update

This is the start of week 2 with the vouchers, and I am already out of some types. I have asked for additional vouchers, so please sign in to the comments to let me know how many total additional vouchers you want. On the IT Professional the limit is 10 vouchers, but as you know I received so few that I had to limit those to 2 each. I apologize for getting these to you in such a piecemeal fashion, but hope that you understand. 

Additional Elevate America Course Vouchers

I may be getting some additional vouchers soon. Please leave your name in the 'comments' area of this post, and which additional voucher types you want, or call us at 630-906-4248. I will assign them as I get the information.

Registering Certification Vouchers

You do NOT need to pre-register the Certification Exam vouchers. Simply keep the voucher information and numbers, which will be required when you register to take the exams. All exams need to be completed by October 31, 2009. You are given two chances per voucher to pass the exam.

Elevate America Registration Videos

Click on the link on the left of this page under 'Elevate America' to access the NEW Elevate America instructional videos. These should help you get into the EA courses and give you information on how to register your vouchers. There are several videos available, so check the ones that interest you.

Additional Elevate America Course Vouchers

We were given less vouchers than we originally were assigned, but have been told that additional vouchers would become available in September. Please check back on this blog for that information. You can use the 'Followers' link to this blog link in the left column to register (click on follow publicly), which will send you an email when changes are made to this site.

ACTC Course Registration

You can check on the availability of ACTC classes by clicking on 'ACTC Schedule' in the left hand column under 'Additional ACTC Information'. Please check this list before calling 630-906-4248 to register for courses, as the course offerings may change. You are welcome to sign up for as many courses as you like, but if an emergency forces your plans to change, please call back and ask to be removed from the class list, and re-register for a later date.

Elevate America

There are links to the Illinois workNet site and also the videos on Illinois workNet that explain how to access and use your vouchers located in the left column of this blog under 'Elevate America'. Remember that all vouchers MUST BE ACTIVATED by October 31, 2009, or they will expire. All certification exams must be COMPLETED by October 31, 2009. However, if you just want to do the courses without sitting for exams, you can continue to access the Elevate America courses through July 31, 2010.

If you have additional questions, please contact the ACTC office at 630-906-4248. You can continue to access this blog (http://actcstudent.blogspot.com/ )for information as it comes available, including additional voucher availability or testing sites and dates.