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With a Jan. 14 deadline just more than a month off, Prince George's officials are seeking more ways to let residents know the county has available almost more 800 vouchers for free Microsoft certification online training.

About 400 vouchers, each worth several hundred dollars, have been distributed through the county's One-Stop Career Center since Nov. 16. The vouchers provide online training in either Microsoft Windows Vista or one of the Microsoft Office suite programs; advanced technical and professional online training; or one free Microsoft Business Certification Exam.

The vouchers, free to any county resident, are available through Microsoft Elevate America, a national program Maryland joined in October. They can be picked up at the One-Stop Career Centers in Largo and Laurel.

"You have to know how to use a computer to get by in today's world," said Tanya Anderson, executive director of the career center.

Microsoft training can be a valuable asset for job-seekers and professional advancement, she said.

"We have thousands of people out of work. We have to get this information out," said Patricia Thornton, spokeswoman for the Prince George's County Economic Development Corp. The county has turned to County Council members, public relations agencies, career centers, homeless shelters and county television to spread the word about the vouchers, she said.

Anderson, who has also been visiting churches with the information, said the general Windows and Office training has shown to be the most popular voucher, but she expects more professionals to be interested in the advanced training vouchers. The county is also coupling the vouchers with three-hour Friday morning workshops.

As of Tuesday, the county had issued 300 of its 500 basic training vouchers, 75 of its 120 advanced learning vouchers, two of its 540 vouchers for Office 2003 certification and 47 of its 50 vouchers for Office 2007 certification, Anderson said.

Rhonda Slade, CEO of the Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce, said the vouchers could be used to train business owners and staff. She also said federal contracts often require computer training, so these vouchers will be beneficial to those looking to work with the federal government.

"That's a skill you can't take away," Slade said. "You do what you need to do to close the digital gap."

Slade, who works with a company that also trains people in computer skills, estimated the worth of the vouchers at as much as $800. Courses at Prince George's Community College charge $110 for introductory courses in individual aspects of Microsoft Office, taught over 12 sessions, Anderson said.

About 13,500 total vouchers are available at Maryland offices, with 6,000 vouchers each for the certification exams and basic training and 1,500 vouchers for professional training.

Microsoft Elevate America is providing more than 1 million vouchers throughout the country as part of its effort to train 2 million people over the next three years, according to Microsoft's Web site.

Information: 301-618-8425 or www.dllr.state.md.us, Microsoft Elevate America.