In an ongoing effort to meet the technology workforce demands of the community, Miami-Jacobs Career College has teamed with Microsoft as part of the new Microsoft® IT Academy Program. With strong faculty development and student resources from Microsoft, Miami-Jacobs is prepared to provide leading-edge Microsoft certification training to its students.

Currently in the U.S., the demand for skilled Information Technology (IT) workers has never been greater. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections from 1998-2008, four of the five fastest-growing occupations in the economy are all computer related, with employment numbers expected to grow up to 108 percent.

Microsoft certifications, including Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), and Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) are highly-valued credentials, coveted by employers. As a Microsoft IT Academy Program member school, Miami-Jacobs offers Microsoft Official Curriculum courses that lead to these certifications. Additionally, students can be assured that the IT faculty has been trained in the latest Microsoft technologies.

According to a study conducted by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) April 2001, hiring managers report an anticipated shortfall of 425,000 IT workers to fill their open positions this year. "Academic institutions are increasingly working to help fill this gap through their technical training programs", said Diana Carew, Program Manager, Workforce Development and Community College Relations for the Education Solutions Group at Microsoft. "The Microsoft IT Academy Program is aimed squarely at helping schools in their mission to deliver quality training to their students seeking certifications, degrees, or who are otherwise continuing their education."

The Microsoft IT Academy Program is an alliance that provides schools the program support needed to be a premier resource for Microsoft training and certification. Backed up by faculty training, technical support and marketing tools, the Microsoft IT Academy Program helps schools effectively serve students' IT training needs.

*A study conducted by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), April 2001.

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