In partnership with the Indiana Departments of Education and Workforce Development, Indiana is the latest state to join the Microsoft IT Academy pilot program. The Microsoft IT Academy helps high school students and adults looking for employment obtain basic and advanced computer skills needed for the many types of careers today, as well as prepare for the high-tech jobs of the future. Currently, there are eighty-nine schools involved in the pilot program, with sixty-one Work One Centers scheduled to be added later this year.
Currently, the Microsoft IT Academy has thirty available Microsoft Certifications and gives high schools “lab licenses” for Office 2010 and 2013 as well as providing Indiana educators with professional development to help further their careers and help better educate their students. In addition, the pilot program grants Indiana teachers, high school students, and adults looking for employment through Work One Centers the ability to take part in the Microsoft IT Academy for free.
The Microsoft Certifications offer a number of advantages to help student productivity and develop student skills in preparation for college. Students who pass Microsoft Certification exams are eligible to apply for college credit through the American Council on Education (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service.
Here are a few Microsoft certifications available for students through the Microsoft IT Academy:
- Microsoft Office Specialist
- Microsoft Technology Associate
- Microsoft Certifications Solutions Associate/Expert
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz says of the Microsoft IT Academy:
I am incredibly excited to be a part of this announcement. As an educator, I am well aware of the necessity for our students to have access and exposure to information technology that is vital for them moving forward. Programs such as this provide much-needed resources for our schools and educators, and additional learning for our children.
In the next several weeks, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development hopes to implement the Microsoft IT Academy certifications at Work One locations throughout Indiana’s Work One employment centers. Further details on the deployment of the Microsoft IT Academy at Work One Center will be available soon. For more information on the Microsoft IT Academy, follow the links or check out the video below.
If you are interested, there’s also a Microsoft IT Academy app in the Windows Store available in the download link.
