He said 15 percent of students pass certification tests based strictly on reading the material. That number rises to 35 percent for students who read, plus have a professor teaching the material, while 90 percent pass on their first try through this program. Their program includes learning via an emerging delivery system of the computer. MicroSoft courses such as, Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, are bound to appeal to many of the beginning business and personal computer users. Additional Internet and organizational computer courses widen the appeal to other computer users.
Advanced courses prepare students to become system engineers and network administrators.
Nearly half of such jobs go unfilled today due to a lack of certified professionals. It is a tremendous feather in OU's cap to partner with TechSkills for the new program, which promises to grow enrollment at the institution and fill training needs for local residents who will no longer have to go out of town for advanced training in the technology field. Strategic partnerships are more than just a flashy business term. Strategic partnerships are vital for a successful university and a successful community. Ottawa is fortunate to be strengthening its strategic partnership with Ottawa University through OUs leadership in technology education.