Microsoft and the state Employment Security department will provide free online training on Microsoft software to Washington residents.

The online courses are available to state residents who register with the state's WorkSource career-development program. There is no limit to the number of people who can sign up for the courses, and individuals can choose to do more than one course. The training courses cover how to use Microsoft software such as Office and Windows, as well as digital literacy for computer beginners and technical training for I.T. professionals.

Microsoft says more than 1,000 different courses are available.

The Employment Security department and Microsoft announced the free training Thursday.

To register, go to www.Go2WorkSource.com.

Update 2:48 p.m.:

To commenter LBurns917 below, who is wondering whether you have to be unemployed to qualify for free training, the answer is no.

The training is free to any Washington resident who registers with WorkSource, whether they are employed or unemployed.