Subject: RE: [Fwd: Alaska Tech News, Events]
From: Metras, Brian (Brian.Metras@jacobs.com)
Date: Mon Jul 16 2001 - 18:13:24 AKDT
Perhaps NUGA could apply as a Group requesting H1B funding. That could fund
our varied knowledge-sharing efforts.
Brian
-----Original Message-----
From: Jerry Tibor [mailto:anjft@uaa.alaska.edu]
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 4:39 PM
To: Network Users Group of Anchorage List
Subject: [Fwd: Alaska Tech News, Events]
This grant program could be a very good thing for many of our members.
Jerry
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Alaska Tech News, Events
Date: 16 Jul 01 15:45:42 -0800
From: "Sally J. Suddock"<details@alaska.net>
Reply-To: ahtbc@ahtbc.org
To: anjft@uaa.alaska.edu
E-NEWSLETTER
Alaska High-Tech Business Council &
IT Careers Consortium
July 16, 2001
*************************
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. IT professional training program launched
2. Discounts on CompTIA certifications (members only)
3. Upcoming meetings & briefings:
-- H1B grant briefings, July 24 (3 p.m.) and July 27 (8:30 a.m.)
--IT Careers Consortium Meeting, July 26, 3 p.m..
--Annual Membership After-Work Sun Event, July 31, Tony Roma's. 5:30
p.m.
(Details on these meetings below).
***************************
1. IT PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM LAUNCHED
The final application and review materials for a unique information
technology (IT) training program have been approved and are available to
individuals and organizations that need to increase the skills of IT
staff.
The H1B Grant Program offers professionals in IT careers a tuition grant
that can cover up to 40 percent of the cost of training. The grant was
received by the Anchorage & Mat-Su Workforce Investment Board (WIB)
under
a U.S. Department of Labor program to improve the skills of American
technology professionals. The U.S. Congress appropriated the training
funds to offset the increased number of foreign workers entering the
U.S.
with H1B work visas to fill a nationwide gap in IT workers. Through
funding from the $5,000 fee that employers pay the government for each
H1B
worker sponsored into the U.S.
The Anchorage-Mat-Su grant provides some $1 million in training grant
funds. The program is being coordinated by the Anchorage & Mat-Su WIB,
Matanuska-Susitna College, and the Alaska High-Tech Business Council.
Grants are available for up-training individuals, sole-proprietors, and
organizations (such as corporations, trade and professional
associations,
and non-profit organizations). The grant policies and procedures have
been
developed through a series of pilot training initiatives since December.
"This program is unique because it is the first opportunity Alaskans
have
had to increase the IT skills of professionals who are already employed.
While a range of other programs provide training assistance to clients
such as the unemployed, underemployed, displaced worker and new entrants
into IT careers, this is the first time we've been able to bring
training
opportunities to current IT professionals," said Ruth DeCamp, project
manager.
Program information and applications are available online at
www.techalaska.org. The grant program extends through mid-2002.
--------------------
2. DISCOUNTS ON COMPTIA CERTIFICATIONS
Through a new AHTBC/ITCC statewide membership agreement with CompTIA,
our
workforce project development partners will receive a 40 to 50 percent
discount on the cost of key CompTIA certifications purchased from
Prometric or VUE. The discount applies to A+, Network+ and I-Net+
certifications at this time.
All educational, non-profit and government organizations statewide are
eligible for a 50 percent discount on the exams and certificates, with
educators eligible to sit for the tests and no charge.
For "commercial" training organizations, the discount is 40 percent.
Other benefits of the program include discounted rates for CompTIA
online
and live events; job-posting privileges for students on the CompTIA site
at no charge; and discounts on CompTIA merchandise.
Details on what CompTIA offers and other information on this industry-
recognized standards-development organization can be found at
www.comptia.org.
To qualify for the certification discounts, our members must use the
AHTBC
ID number, which can be obtained by calling our office at 907-276-4822.
We
will verify your membership and eligibility and provide you with the ID
number required by Prometric and VUE for voucher purchases. For members
of
the ITCC Careers Consortium, we will be mailing a more detailed packet
of
information and CompTIA materials as soon as we receive them.
----------------
3. UPCOMING EVENTS
--H1B Grant Briefings. The partners in the H1B (IT incumbent training)
program are hosting two briefings on the program, as well as other IT
training grants available through the Anchorage and Mat-Su Workforce
Investment Board. The H1B program (see story above) is the first to
offer
grant assistance for training tuition and materials for incumbent IT
workers and sole-proprietor businesses.
The briefings will explain the application process in brief, and allow
employers and IT professionals an opportunity to get their questions
answered. The briefings were scheduled for two dates to make them
available to as many employers and individuals as possible. The same
presentation will be given at each.
Both of the IT workforce H1B briefings will be held at the Loussac
Library,
first floor public conference room (across from the Municipal Assembly
Chambers), on the following dates:
Tuesday, July 24 at 3 - 4:30 p.m. (light refreshments)
Thursday, July 27 at 8:30 - 10 a.m. (continental breakfast)
There is no charge for these meetings. RSVP to the numbers below.
--IT Careers Consortium Meeting. Thursday, July 26, Loussac Library, 3
-5
p.m.
On the agenda will be AHTBC/ITCC workforce project program review;
fellowship status; University of Alaska initiatives; and several policy
issues for review. Members of the ITCC will receive meeting agenda
packets
in the mail this week. The meeting also is open to non-ITCC members.
Refreshment served. No charge. RSVP to the numbers below.
--Annual Membership After-Work Sun Event, Tuesday, July 31, Tony Roma's.
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Join your colleagues for our annual summer networking event on the deck
at
Tony Roma's, Tudor Road and Seward Highway, Anchorage. Renew your
organization's membership or join the AHTBC at a 10 percent discount at
this event. Enjoy Tony Roma's appetizers and a beverage, and relax with
your colleagues. Event charge $10 members, $15 non-members.
RSVP for any or all meetings to david@ahtbc.org or 276-4822.
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