Job Corp's Dell Academy Program Preps Students for the 21st Century Tucson, November 16, 2001- Despite recent economic setbacks, market analysts agree that the critical shortage of skilled workers in high tech fields is increasing. To help address the crisis, the United States Department of Labor and Tucson-based JES & Co, a non-profit education organization, will provide critically needed technology programs and 21st century skills training to applicants in Job Corps sites around the country. The program will be inaugurated at the South Bronx Job Corps Academy and the Brooklyn Job Corps Academy beginning in December, the first sites selected for the ground-breaking endeavor. Participants in the innovative program are Dell Computer Corporation and Quantum Leap. The Dell Academy, developed and administered by JES & Co., is currently deployed in schools around the country and provides training in the internationally recognized industry-standard CompTIA A+ Computer Repair Technician certification program. In addition, the Dell Academy includes supplementary courseware and resources that give students practical, real-world experience in troubleshooting and repairing Dell computers. Quantum Leap, a minority owned and operated company specializing in information technology consulting, is providing the community outreach and job placement for the comprehensive package of instructional resources and services. With a decade of experience in workforce development and job placement programs with non-profit agencies and federally funded programs, Quantum Leap expects to place at least 65% of the course graduates initially, with others pursuing additional training and certifications. "We needed a complete program, not just a stack of books," said Diny Golder-Dardis, JES & Co.'s Executive Director and developer of the Dell Academy. "The 21st Century Skills that employers are demanding today turn book knowledge into Jobs." Anita Cardella, Director of the South Bronx Job Corps Center, couldn't agree more. "The Dell Academy and the additional support and services provided by JES & Co. and Quantum Leap are the key to helping young people find and keep living wage employment, or go on to pursue additional training and education," she said, adding that ResCare, Inc., which manages centers around the country, will phase in other Job Corps sites under the three year agreement. contact Diny Golder-Dardis, Executive Director JES & Co. Phone 520-881-3317
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