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State Governors Declare March Novell "Certification Month" Novell Celebrates Heritage as Most Recognized and Valued Information Technology Training and Certification Leader PROVO, Utah — March 10, 1998 — Eleven state governors have joined Novell, Inc. to proclaim March Novell "Certification Month," recognizing the company's continued leadership in defining a skill-level standard for professionals in the networking industry. With the demand for IT professionals on the rise, Novell in March celebrates the contributions to customer networks of 290,000 Certified Novell Administrators (CNA); 135,000 Certified Novell Engineers (CNE); 10,000 Master CNE; 1,000 Certified Internet Professionals; and 5,500 Certified Novell Instructors (CNI) worldwide. Supporters include Utah State Governor Michael O. Leavitt; Florida Governor Lawton Chiles; Massachusetts Governor Aregeo Paul Cellucci; Michigan Governor John Engler; Nevada Governor Bob Miller; Maine Governor Angus King, Jr.; New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen; New Mexico Governor Gary E. Johnson; Rhode Island Governor Lincoln C. Almond; Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson; Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull, and Mayor Marion Barry, District of Columbia. In addition, Colorado Governor Roy Romer has sent a letter of congratulations to Novell commending the efforts. "We are excited that these states recognize the value of technical certification and understand the impact a trained and certified workforce has on the state economy," said Bob Puissant, vice president of Novell Education. "Novell certification is the most recognized and valued certification around the globe for servicing and supporting networking. A Novell certification has proven to be a key factor in helping individuals obtain well-paying jobs, increase their salary, and receive promotions. We help create the IT workforce of the future." IT Skills In High Demand The Information Technology Association of America reports more than 346,000 IT jobs available in the United States. The trend is expected to continue, with the U.S. Department of Labor projecting up to 10 percent annual employment growth in IT, with total employment doubling by more than a million by 2005. The report also stated that 68 percent of IT companies cited a lack of skilled or trained workers as a barrier to their companies' future ability to grow. The growth and demand for IT professionals is creating new opportunities for retraining workers from all areas of the economy. Ernest Morgan, a nuclear pipe fitter for nearly 12 years, achieved his Novell certification following a layoff. With a wife, four kids under the age of six, and a new home to support, Morgan began the search for a new career. Morgan passed the last of his CNE exams in September, 1995, and was hired two weeks later by the Pawtucket School Department in Rhode Island as the network technology supervisor. "The Novell training and certification I received gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed to start a new career," said Morgan. "I now oversee a network that brings technology to life for more than 10,000 children. I find it's especially rewarding to be a part of technology integration in education." According to a recent survey of CIOs by New York-based RHI Consulting, Inc., a division of Robert Half International, networking is the number one growth area in every industry nationwide. The 1998 Computerworld Annual Job Forecast Survey further cited that networking positions are also the most difficult to fill. "Education and certification is the solution to filling the skills gap," said John Slitz, senior vice president of marketing for Novell. "Universities can't solve this alone. By creating quality programs to improve the skills of existing professionals and train new entrants, as Novell clearly has, both the workforce and the individual wins." Certification Month Activities Novell offers a variety of certification options that allows student customers to customize their training and skill development. This month, Novell will celebrate Certification Month by hosting more than 5,000 networking professionals, consisting of consultants, customers, developers, educators, engineers integrators, Novell business partners and industry media and analysts at Novell's 14th annual BrainShare technical conference, which will be held March 22-27, 1998 in Salt Lake City. Virtual University Enterprises will be offering Novell exams and a special 50 percent rebate offer exclusively for BrainShare attendees. Novell training and certification programs are available through Novell's global network of Novell Authorized Education Centers (NAECs) and Novell Education Academic Partners (NEAPs), which includes colleges, universities and high schools. To locate the nearest Novell authorized training center, please visit the Novell Education Web site at http://www.novell.com/education. Or, customers in North America can call toll free (800) 233-EDUC. For BrainShare registration or for further information, visit the Novell website at http://www.novell.com. 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. CNA, Certified Novell Administrator, CNE, Certified Novell Engineer, CNI, Certified Novell Instructor, Master CNE, NEAP, Novell Education Academic Partner, NAEC, Novell Authorized Education Center, and Certified Internet Professional are registered service marks, service marks or trademarks of Novell, Inc., in the United States and other countries. Other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.
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