The Academy Vice-President Andy Perez Recognized for Contributions to Microsoft's Elevate America Program in South Florida

MIAMI, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Andy Perez, Vice-President responsible for Government Affairs at The Academy, a Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center with campuses in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, FL, was recently recognized for his contributions to the Elevate America Program initiated by Workforce Florida.

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"We at The Academy are looking forward to working further with Microsoft and South Florida Workforce to offer vouchers to potential students in the IT field," said Andy Perez, Vice-President, The Academy. "This will go a long way in providing these students with the tools they need to enter a competitive job market and succeed. I am honored that I was recognized for my part in helping not just South Florida's work force, but the entire state of Florida by bringing this program here."

Governor Charlie Crist appointed Perez in July 2009 to the statewide Workforce Florida Board and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez appointed him to the South Florida Workforce Board.

As Chairman of the Technology Committee of Workforce Florida, Perez was instrumental in bringing Microsoft Corporation's Elevate America Program to Florida. The initiative is expected to provide up to one million vouchers nationwide for Microsoft e-learning courses and select Microsoft certification exams at no or low cost to recipients. The program, part of Microsoft's overall Unlimited Potential efforts to improve social and economic opportunities for people, will provide technology training for up to two million people during the next three years.

Chris Perez, Director of Education of The Academy believes, "This program is just what we need in our state to further strengthen our workforce. This is an admirable endeavor by Microsoft, and The Academy is proud to be a part of it."

South Florida Workforce will distribute nearly 7,000 vouchers, including about 3,000 general E-Learning vouchers, 3,000 Certification Exam vouchers and 800 IT Professional vouchers. All are available on a first- come, first-served basis by individual request through South Florida Workforce.  

Recently, Perez also made the recommendation to the Workforce Readiness & Performance Council to develop/fund a supplemental Digital Access initiative that builds on the Elevate America project and enables the Workforce regions to create or enhance their existing digital literacy efforts to create sustainable, longer-lasting technology-related workforce development solutions.

Between his part in bringing Elevate America to Florida and creating the Digital Access Initiative, Perez is committed to stronger and digitally literate workers that will help revitalize Florida's economy and create jobs.  

About The Academy

The Academy of South Florida, Inc., was founded in 1999, and has grown to become of the Florida's leading technology educational provides.  The Academy is dedicated to improving organizations through the use of information technology, offering high-end technical training in Microsoft, Cisco, Linux, CompTIA and more.

SOURCE The Academy of South Florida, Inc.