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Interface Computer School
Interface Computer School (ICS) knows about the importance of verifying quality training with certification. To underscore this, ICS became a Certiport Center so the school could offer Microsoft Office Specialist certification to students.
"Certification is an important trend in the information technology (IT) industry," says ICS President Dave Wilson. "We know employers now look for certifications when hiring, and naturally we want them to hire our students."
Founded in 1982, ICS began offering short-term training seminars and workshops. But with the growth of the IT Industry and the proliferation of computers in the workplace, the school changed its format to longer, career training programs in Internet programming, Web page design, technical support, data processing, word processing, secretarial and business management, and many other programs.
Then, in addition to networking certification options, ICS implemented Microsoft Office certification to offer students an industry-recognized certification specifically for the Office programs.
As a locally based computer training school in Spokane, Washington, ICS recognized the significant benefits of combining Microsoft Office certification-a global certification-to the school's offerings. "If a student moves from this area or if a company doesn't recognize our school, Microsoft Office certification is still valuable because everyone recognizes Microsoft," Wilson explains.
ICS integrated Microsoft Office certification exams into a required core class at the school, and student response has been exceptional. "Students find Microsoft Office training and certification extremely valuable because they gain expert knowledge of the Office business programs and have a certification that will help them find jobs when they graduate," says Assistant Director of Instruction Roy Prescott, who teaches the core class.
"All my students say Microsoft Office certification is one of the factors that helped them decide to attend our school," Prescott says. Almost half of the students at ICS have earned certification in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPointŪ, and Access.
"I know for a fact that our enrollment has increased because we offer students something they want-Microsoft Office certification," Wilson says. Due to the enrollment increase, ICS will soon open a fourth location in their area. Wilson is enjoying the success certification brings to his students and school. "We are very happy with Microsoft Office certification and recommend it to everyone," he says.
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