Digital Literacy Pilot Becomes Model to Equip Displaced Workers with Tech Skills

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – April 12, 2005

Certiport® today announced the successful completion of a groundbreaking Information and Communication Technology (ICT) job retraining pilot program in association with the University of North Alabama (UNA), ACT, Kempster Group, and CompTIA. Focused on retraining displaced textile workers in the Tennessee River Valley, the pilot successfully certified 58 percent of enrolled participants seeking to improve their employability by attaining the Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®), a global standard for digital skills vital to success in today’s workforce. The program demonstrated the viability of rapid job retraining for about $1,600 per worker, a fraction of the cost of other government retraining programs.

“The whole idea behind the pilot project was to create a way for IT experts and academic institutions to partner in delivering validated skills training in order to bridge the ‘digital divide’ for displaced workers,” stated John Adamson, executive director for the project. “The student-based model created here does just that. The call to action now is to scale the program to reach those for whom it is most needed.”

This successful approach to job retraining was developed and tested over the past year in the economically stressed Shoals area of northern Alabama by Certiport, ACT, CompTIA, UNA, and Kempster Group. This area was chosen because of the high concentration of thousands of displaced textile workers resulting from the long-term negative impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1994. In this geographic area alone, the loss of U.S. textile jobs has resulted in the closure of plants including Tee Jays, Salem, Tennessee River, Lexington Fabrics, VF Jeanswear, Chic by H.L.S., and H.D. Lee.

“We’re pleased to be a part of this outreach effort, which is part of ACT’s mission to provide workforce development services,” stated Michael Eisenstein, President and COO of ACT’s Workforce Development Division . “The model developed here provides tangible proof of skills to future employers and a cost-effective methodology for rapidly developing these skills.”

After an initial phase of the pilot using UNA instructors, the most effective retraining model included night classes two nights per week over a two-month period, plus a pre-assessment of digital skills provided in the form of a practice test so students could refocus study efforts. At the end of the two-month process, students were tested to the global standard for digital literacy, IC³.

Adamson compared the $1,600 price tag per worker for this pilot against other similar efforts costing upwards of $5,000 per worker (source: CompTIA Education Foundation), without the tangible, portable, and recognized IC³ credential. “We look to local government and business entities to continue this good work by providing funding, jobs, and expertise that allow many more participants to re-enter the workforce as IT-skilled knowledge workers,” said Adamson.

About Certiport
Certiport provides industry-leading training, assessment, and certification solutions that enable individuals to develop the skills necessary to achieve more, distinguish themselves, and advance in today's academic and business environments. These solutions include the Microsoft® Office Specialist and the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®), delivered through a channel of more than 9,000 Certiport Centers worldwide. Certiport is a pioneer in using pervasive testing technology and data management systems based on extensive research and professional validation processes. For more information about Certiport, visit www.certiport.com.

Certiport and IC³ are registered trademarks of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and the Microsoft Office logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries, and the Microsoft Office Specialist Logo is used under license from owner.

Press Contact:
John Pilmer
801-369-7535
mediarelations@certiport.com