"I have a daughter who is going to be graduating from high school soon and prom and things like that, so I [could] better my work."

Yankaway had stopped by Jefferson City's Career Center; not to find a job, but to further her education, enroll in school, and find a better job.  Her brow furrows and her pierced cheeks frown when asked if her family struggles financially with all of her children under the age of 14.

"We make it.  It could be worse, but we make it, and things could be better."

Now that Governor Nixon announced Missouri's new program, Yankaway's goals could become cheaper.  The Microsoft Elevate America program has chosen Missouri as one of seven states to give free e-learning and certification programs to its participants.  There will be close to 25,000 vouchers given away to those who apply for the program which will teach computer programs like Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Exchange Server, and more.

Press Secretary Scott Holste says this is an exciting partnership between the state and Microsoft.

"We were ready to go with this, to work with them to launch it and to have the application online," Holste said.

The Secretary says this partnership will benefit all of its participants, especially those using the program for jobs.

"Obviously many jobs across the country require computer skills.  There are a lot of people, for one reason or another, who have not picked up those skills.  This is an opportunity, not only for people to pick up some basic skills, but to pick up some more advanced computer skills that can help in doing a better job, having better job skills, and making them more marketable."

For Yankaway, that's exactly what the program could mean. 

"My last job, I had to work on a computer the whole time.  It was actually the front desk at a hotel and everything I did was on a computer so I had to get trained," Yankaway said.  "I think the computer classes would be excellent for people who are computer illiterate to help them in the work force."

For anyone wanting to apply for a voucher, you can go to www.mo.gov or call 1-888-728-JOBS.  Missourians must claim their vouchers by January 31, 2010.