Microsoft offers computer training to unemployed

[musette_sf]

Apr 13th, 2009 | SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp. announced Monday it would be giving away more than 30,000 vouchers over the next 90 days to help unemployed people in Washington state get new computer skills.

The vouchers will entitle them to take computer classes for free -- either in person or online -- and take Microsoft certification exams at no or low cost.

At a news conference in Seattle, Gov. Chris Gregoire commended Microsoft for stepping up to the challenge of helping the nation come out of the recession stronger.

"When this downturn ends, we will need more skilled workers ready to enter the job market. Microsoft's generosity will provide thousands of men and women the skills they need to work with the software that runs our businesses," Gregoire said.

more BS at http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5inegk-8pPZ-ecfF-9Am9pIGY2RMwD97HU1N00http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5inegk-8pPZ-ecfF-9Am9pIGY2RMwD97HU1N00

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oh, the irony...

oh, the cognitive dissonance...

oh, what a steaming pile of cruelty...

while they continue to do everything they can to keep from hiring AMERICAN workers, they throw this condescending worthless sop...

[BlooInBloo]

1. Indeed. The nerve of those assholes - to suggest that it would helpful...

for Americans to know more.

What dicks.

[musette_sf]

4. yeah, they ARE dicks!

instead of offering J-O-B-S to local citizens rather than offshoring and hiring H-1Bs, they're throwing a worthless bone to people who have REAL NEEDS for REAL JOBS.

anyone can get "intermediate level" M$ app skills at state-funded adult education classes, nothing special being offered here.

being "Micro$oft Certified" means almost NOTHING these days.

great, you'll be "certified" to install that Vista installed base that, like, never happened in American business.

M$ is treating American workers like GARBAGE, hiring H-1Bs and offshoring work. these "classes" will be as worthless as the paper the vouchers are printed on.

[Jkid]

2. You're right, how good are certifications if any job that you want...

...is being outsourced or if the company is hiring only people with H-1B visas? If Microsoft is offering training to people in Washington State, they should be the one's with first priority with jobs with the company.

[napoleon_in_rags]

3. Its a move to lower the costs of Microsoft technicians and keep their prices low.

Which reduces the total cost of ownership of their products, making them more competitive. It's not altruistic, but there are worse things in the world.

I went to their site http://www.microsoft.com/click/areyoucertifiable/ to see what they offer, but SURPRISE! It doesn't work, because I am booted up in Linux. You need to buy Microsoft products to take part in this fabulous act of altruism. :)