A: In an effort to help strengthen the UK economy and offer workforce-readiness skills and technology training for the jobs of the twenty-first century, Britain Works provides a collection of free training and resources. Much of the training and resources are available to everyone through this Web site. Britain Works is a three-year commitment by Microsoft to help get Britain back to work after the economic downturn.

Through a series of partnerships with nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), community learning centres, and public authorities, Britain Works aims to help half a million people into jobs in the areas of the economy that will lead the recovery. These will be digital jobs, requiring the use of computer skills, and will be in a range of industries from manufacturing to services and the IT industry itself.

There are five main elements to the Britain Works programme:

A: A voucher is a code that is provided to selected individuals to enable them to access training resources and certification exams. Vouchers are used to access learning collections (groups of training modules enabling you to deepen your IT skills through online learning) and Microsoft Certifications (an industry-standard validation of your training).

A: That’s the great thing—everyone is eligible. Whether you are currently employed and simply looking to brush up on your technology skills or are in the market for a career, Britain Works can help. With or without a training voucher, a number of resources are already available to everyone through this Web site. In addition, the three local authorities winning the Britain Works Challenge (Barnsley, Milton Keynes, and Sunderland) are offering vouchers for free access to Microsoft E-Learning courses and select Microsoft Certification exams.

Q: Where and when will training vouchers be available?

A: The Britain Works Web site highlights resources that individuals can take advantage of today. To access these free resources, select the option in the navigation menu that best applies to you.

If you are interested in basic technology skills training programmes that you can take advantage of today, the Digital Literacy Curriculum, available through this site, provides basic technology skills training courses.

In addition, Microsoft is working with the three local authorities winning the Britain Works Challenge (Barnsley, Milton Keynes, and Sunderland) to establish the process for an individual to receive a voucher for Microsoft E-Learning or a voucher for a certification exam leading to a Microsoft Business Certification.

Q: What types of training are being offered?

A: Microsoft is offering a range of e-learning and instructor-led training based on the needs of each learner.

Q: What credentials and certifications are offered?

A: Britain Works will offer everything from certificates of completion for the basic technology training courses (for example, basic Web navigation) to more formal Microsoft Business Certifications (Microsoft Office Outlook, Office Excel, Office Access). These credentials will be offered at no cost to recipients.

Q: Why should I consider earning a Microsoft Certification?

A: Microsoft annually certifies thousands of technical workers around the world to validate their technology expertise and skills in using Microsoft products, a seal of approval that significantly raises workers’ value and attractiveness to employers. Microsoft has trained roughly 51 million software developers and technology workers globally over the past decade.

Q: I am a charity engaged in employment and skills activity; how do I get involved in Britain Works?

A: The Britain Works initiative is being implemented by government and nonprofit organizations across the UK.

Learn more about the Britain Works NGO Programme

Q: How can I contact Britain Works with questions?

A: You can call the Britain Works Helpline free from 9-5pm Monday-Friday by calling 0800 111 4341 or by sending an e-mail message to britwork@microsoft.com

Q: Where can I obtain a voucher?

A: You can obtain vouchers for Microsoft E-Learning or Microsoft Certification through Britain Works from the three local authorities winning the Britain Works Challenge (Barnsley, Milton Keynes, and Sunderland).

Q: What is the difference between an "access code" and a "voucher code"?

A: There is no difference. Both terms refer to an e-learning activation code that enables you to redeem a free e-learning course or collection. A voucher contains a code that is provided by Microsoft as part of Britain Works through selected local authorities. This access code enables you to participate in training resources and certification exams for no cost. Vouchers are used to activate an e-learning collection (an online training course) and Microsoft Certifications (an industry-standard validation of your training).

Q: Can I use more than one voucher?

A: In principle, yes you can. But please contact the agency or person who provided you with the voucher to ask about their policy for issuing additional vouchers.

Q: Why am I being asked to create a Windows Live ID?

A: If you are not signed in to Microsoft E-Learning and you try to redeem a voucher or take a course, you will automatically be directed to sign in. Signing in is required for accessing Microsoft E-learning courses.

Q: I need help creating a Windows Live ID. What should I do?

A: To create a Windows Live ID, visit Windows Live Support, and then click Windows Live ID. Review the frequently asked questions in the left pane for help.

Visit Windows Live Support now

Q: I redeemed my voucher; however, I chose the wrong course. Do I need a new voucher?

A: Each E-Learning voucher code can be used only one time, and we cannot change the selection you have made. Contact the agency or person who provided you with the voucher to ask about their policy for issuing additional vouchers. If the agency cannot give you a replacement voucher, please contact the Britain Works Helpline on 0800 111 4341, or e-mail britwork@microsoft.com.

Q: Why am I seeing prices for the courses; I thought they would be free?

A: On a few pages in the Microsoft Learning system, you may see a dollar amount shown. This amount indicates the total value of the collection of courses you are pursuing as part of your training. Payment is not required, and you should proceed ahead.

Q: I'm a returning user; where do I go to continue my training?

A: If you have already redeemed a voucher for free Microsoft E-Learning, take the following steps to resume your training:

1. Start by accessing the Internet. Type www.microsoftelearning.com into the address bar and press ENTER on your keyboard.

2. On the right, click Returning users and sign in as instructed.

3. Click My Learning in the upper-left corner to bring you to a personalized space that stores all of the learning content you have saved. Click on the course you want to start.

4. Ensure that you click on Sign out when you have finished if on a shared computer.

Q: How long will I be able to use my e-learning courses?

A: After you redeem your voucher and activate your e-learning, you will have 12 months of access to the courses.

Q: How many courses can I take with my e-learning voucher?

A: Your e-learning voucher will allow you to redeem one e-learning collection. An e-learning collection is made up of several e-learning courses. The voucher code can only be used once, and you have 12 months of access to your courses.

Q: The format of some e-learning courses is not displaying correctly. What is the problem?

A: To view e-learning courses, it is necessary to use Windows Internet Explorer 6 or later as your browser. E-Learning courses might not be displayed correctly when you use other browsers (such as Firefox).

Q: The content is all very basic. How can I learn more advanced skills?

A: Contact your local official about e-learning content from the Microsoft Technical Professional E-Learning catalog. In addition, you can purchase e-learning courses on the Learning Manager site. Special offers on E-Learning and Microsoft Certification exams are often featured on the Microsoft Learning Web site.

Q: I have completed e-learning assessments in my courses. Is this my certification?

A: No. Each e-learning course includes a set of mini-assessments to help test whether you have understood and retained the training as you go though the course. This is not a formal assessment and does not count toward a future certification.

Q: Do I need to have the 2007 Microsoft Office system or Windows Vista installed to complete the e-learning courses on these products?

A: To run the e-learning content of the courses, you are not required to have the Office and Windows products installed on your computer. However, the lab exercises in the e-learning courses are designed to be performed in the programs that are being taught. Therefore, the programs must be available somewhere for you to complete the lab exercises.

For users who do not have access to a purchased version of the 2007 Office system, the programs are available for a 60-day trial on the Office Online Web site:

Go to Office Online now

Q: Where do I redeem my certification voucher?

A: If you have received a certification exam voucher, check with the agency that gave you the voucher to see whether they provide testing at their facility or if they can recommend a Certiport Testing Center in your area.

In addition, you can locate a Certiport Testing Center in your area by visiting the Certiport Web site.

Visit the Certiport Web site now

Q: What certification exams can I take using my certification voucher?

A: Certification exams are available for the 2007 Microsoft Office system and Microsoft Office 2003, with each exam covering a specific Microsoft Office program, such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, or Outlook. There is also an exam available for Windows Vista. You can use your Britain Works certification vouchers for any of these exams.

Q: I failed my certification. Can I obtain another voucher from Microsoft to take another exam?

A: Each certification voucher allows a single user take one exam.

The same user can also use more than one voucher. Users should approach the office or person who provided them with the first exam voucher to ask about their policy for issuing additional exam vouchers.