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American High Schools, Colleges Set to "Rock the 'Net" through Collaboration with Novell Novell Education Academic Partner Program Provides Comprehensive Internet Training for Tomorrow's Web Masters , Celebrates First Year of Success with More Than 100 Schools Orem, Utah -- March 4, 1997 -- Novell today announced the addition of "Webmaster" training curriculum to its Novell Education Academic Partner (NEAP) program serving high schools and colleges throughout the United States. Participating schools can now provide their students with Novell's comprehensive Internet curriculum, which was recently highlighted by U.S. News & World Report for its success in preparing students as Webmasters, cited by the publication as one of the "hottest" jobs in today's networked economy. Students completing course work for the Novell Certified Internet Professional will prepare themselves to graduate with not only their diplomas, but with skills needed to manage Web sites used by businesses of all kinds and sizes for global communication and commerce. "By making the Novell Certified Internet Professional training available to students in colleges and high schools, Novell is helping students 'Rock the Net' and prepare for careers as Webmasters,' said Carolyn G. Rose, Senior Vice President of Novell Education. "Becoming Internet-intelligent and web-wise prepares students for powerful career opportunities." "Rock the Net" is Novell's global theme for harnessing the power of Internet/intranet technology. Schools participating in the NEAP program train students to be able to navigate the Net as users, as well as become web site managers. The program delivers on United States President Bill Clinton's education agenda to give American students an employment edge in preparing to go to college or enter the work force. "The NEAP-Secondary program fits our mission like a hand in a glove," notes Dr. Angel Sanchez, division administrator of Information Resources and Technology Services for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office in Bakersfield, Calif. "We have a very ambitious undertaking in Kern County with our Internet strategy, and the NEAP program and the partnership with Novell is providing us with the enabling technologies and tools--in this case, the training components--to teach the staff and students how to use technology for educational purposes." Created in 1992, the NEAP program was Novell's and the entire information technology industry's pioneer training program for bringing vendor training to colleges, universities, trade schools, and--as of last year-- high schools. An authorized education partnership with Novell, the NEAP program--up until now--has focused solely on Novell's industry-pioneering and leading Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) and Certified Novell Administrator (CNA) certifications. This focused approach has attracted nearly 300 schools worldwide. NEAP-Secondary In Action Judith Berry with the Michigan Department of Education recognized the need to prepare high school students with marketable skills. After seeing the demand for Novell CNAs in want ads, she knew that Michigan students needed CNA training. Nearly 50 secondary schools in Michigan offer NEAP training, with 100 more in progress. "In Michigan, high-tech means high pay," she notes. "It used to be that our graduates only had a choice of minimum wage jobs. Now, students are really excited because they are earning higher wages and are seeing clearer career paths, whether they are going right out into the job world, or continuing in higher education." "Since becoming a CNA, I haven't held a position that has paid less than $20 per hour," says Gene Ekster, CNA, from Fremont, Calif. "CNA advances your mind as well as your career. It sure beats flipping burgers." Having earned his CNA at Mission Valley Regional Occupation Program, Gene went straight from high school to a position as a network administrator. He currently attends the University of California at Berkeley and uses his CNA skills in a consulting position. A high school colleague of Ekster's, Yury Reznikov, more than tripled his part-time salary by earning his CNA. "Novell is the biggest networking power in the industry," he says. "The CNA shows I am taking my future seriously and tells employers that I know what I am talking about." As with many state and federal governments and private companies, the state of Utah uses Novell certifications as a basis for hiring technical support professionals. In honor of the value of Novell certification and the value of Novell-certified individuals, Utah's Governor Michael O. Leavitt has declared the month of March Novell Certification month for the third year in a row. The state has also announced plans for NEAP participation by all high schools within three years. "The NEAP-Secondary program has opened up a fantastic opportunity for Utah high school students." says Robert Brems, associate superintendent for Applied Technology Education for the Utah State Office of Education. "We are trying to enhance the 'school-to-work' transition. By offering the NEAP-secondary program, our students in the secondary system head to work with fewer transition problems and a lot less adjustment than they have in the past." Program Offerings Participating schools and instructors must meet certain criteria to participate in both the NEAP and NEAP- Secondary programs. No program fee is required, however an initial NEAP Starter Kit must be purchased for $895 (NEAP), and $695 (NEAP-Secondary). Schools interested in the NEAP and NEAP-Secondary programs should call (800) 824-5179. Novell Perspective The pioneer in information technology (IT) education programs, Novell has been certifying industry and network professionals since 1986. Since then, Novell Education has continued to be the industry innovator and leader in skills development and skills assessment. In doing so, Novell Education has globally driven "Novell literacy" and the acceptance of Novell products, while also creating certification programs that have become de facto global standards for hiring, compensating, and promoting network support professionals. More than 450,000 individuals have either achieved Novell certification or are in the process of doing so. More than 750,000 student customers will receive Novell-authorized training in fiscal 1997. Founded in 1983, Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL) is the world's leading provider of network software. The company offers a wide range of network solutions for distributed network, Internet, intranet and small- business markets. Novell education and technical support programs are the most comprehensive in the network computing industry. Information about Novell's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http:/www.novell.com. Novell Contact: |
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