Schools get tech training grant

Aiken County schools received $175 000 for new computers and technology training through the Enhancing Education through Technology grant, according to the state Education Department, reports Augusta Chronicle.

The state announced that 44 school districts, almost half of South Carolina's school districts, would receive a piece of the $7.3 million grant. Portions of the grant will go toward the e-learning office's goal of having every student technologically literate by the end of eighth grade.

Aiken County's money will fund training at the elementary and middle school level and allow the district to add student computers at the high school level.

Microsoft and the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation have joined forces to provide free technology training in the form of vouchers to 13 500 Maryland residents, says The Examiner.

Marylanders will be able to use the vouchers to take advantage of Microsoft e-learning courses delivered over the Web, and to cover the cost of certain Microsoft certification exams. Maryland state employees are not eligible for this programme.

Eligible e-learning courses will include Microsoft Worker (Windows XP, Office 2003 or Windows Vista & Office 2007), and IT Professional Standard and Extended Library; the certification exams will include Microsoft Office 2003 and Microsoft Office 2007.

CBT Planet has reached an agreement with an authorised SkillSoft partner to offer the SkillSoft training courses such as IT Skills and Business Skills Courseware Collections, states Reuters.

SkillSoft is a provider of e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and SMEs. SkillSoft enables business organisations to maximise business performance through a combination of comprehensive online training content, online information resources, flexible learning technologies and support services.

CBT Planet provides a high degree of IT training, IT certification courses, desktop office training and soft skills training.