Novell's Certified Novell Administrator (CNA) Program Goes to High School

Press Release

PROVO, UTAH -- February 28, 1995 -- Novell, Inc., Compaq Computer, Electronic Systems of Virginia Beach, and Virginia Beach City Public Schools participated in a joint announcement on January 18th, heralding a pilot program that adds the Certified Novell Administrator (CNA) program to the Virginia Beach school system's high school curriculum.

"This bold step by Novell, Compaq, and Electronic Systems supports our efforts to provide training that meets industry standards for our graduates," said Sidney L. Faucette, Superintendent. "By ensuring that our young people have marketable skills, we are also meeting the needs of our community for a knowledgeable workforce--and the needs of our nation for a competitive edge in the global economy."

"Electronic Systems believes that business' involvement in the school systems is essential to introducing students to the new #high-tech' jobs that are out there, especially information technology," said William Kamarek, president of Electronic Systems.

Ten graduating seniors are the first class in the program. These ten will leave high school in June fully credentialed as CNAs and ready for the job market. The students, selected in March 1994 on the basis of scholastic achievement and interest, began taking CNA courses at the Virginia Beach Vocational Technical Center in August 1994. Within their regular high schools, they are completing their graduation requirements in academic courses to qualify for their high school diplomas. The ten students spend half-days in CNA training, getting daily hands-on experience in running Novell networks at high schools in the city, provided through a co-op arrangement with the Office of Technology of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

Skills to Meet IT Industry Need

Until now, Novell has not offered its globally recognized industry certification training in high schools. "This pilot integration of the CNA program into high school curriculum is designed to offer students real-world experience and training," said Rick Romine, director of Strategic Development at Novell Education. "The goal is to foster future success by teaching these students transferrable, marketable skills in addition to reinforcing high academic achievement.

"There is a tremendous need in the business community to find individuals who are highly skilled in networking and network applications," Romine added. "Novell networking and network application products comprise 70 percent of the global networking market. Offering the CNA program at the high school level benefits students, the business community, and the national economy. For students just coming out of high school, having skills that are recognized and valued by business increases their opportunities."

This ground-breaking partnership between IT businesses and high schools is one of the first of its kind in the nation. The Novell CNA program is in line with the growing trend of many schools in the nation which are seeking to enter into partnerships with business. Novell applauds Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Electronic Systems for being proactive agents in setting up programs that offer a return on the community level. Novell continues to encourage all efforts, on local, state, and federal levels, that bring opportunities to the unemployed and others who lack the technical skills necessary for careers in the networking industry.

"We are excited to enter into this unique partnership with Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Electronic Systems," Romine said. "It adds yet another dimension to education by offering real-world technical and career training for students."