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Aster Technology Institute Expands its Commitment to IT Education By Adopting the International Computer Driving License

ATI is First Private School in Washington State

to Offer World’s Leading Computer Literacy Certification

Tacoma, Wash. – December 2, 2003 – As part of its commitment of preparing students to excel in today’s technology driven workforce, Aster Technology Institute is adopting the International Computer Driving License (ICDL). Used in more than 100 countries by more than three million people, ICDL certification is a global workforce credential for validating basic computer skills. Aster Technology Institute, a private career college that focuses of health care and information technology education, will offer training and testing of ICDL’s seven modules beginning this month. Eventually, Aster will make ICDL certificate a prerequisite for its advanced IT programs.

“We need to bring youths and employees in line with the worldwide demand for computer literacy. To compete in an increasingly global community, everyone must be able to present ICDL certification to their potential employer,” said Berhane Zerom, chief executive officer and president of Aster Technology Institute. “The only way to achieve this is to make ICDL a requirement.”

Zerom estimates that approximately 15-30 students per month will be taking the ICDL exams by January 2004. Eventually, Zerom will approach officials in the area and encourage community colleges and high schools to adopt ICDL as a requirement.

“By integrating ICDL into its program offering, Aster has once again proven that its curriculum is ahead of the curve by offering tomorrow’s technology lessons today,” said Grant Castle, president of ICDL-US. “More than 90% of jobs already require computer knowledge, and ICDL provides the tools needed to produce skilled, credentialed workers for a demanding workforce.”

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International Study Reveals IT Skills Shortfall Wastes Work Time

Employees helping one another with computer programs is the number one time-consuming problem in the workplace, according to a major international study by Cap Gemini Ernst & Young. Office workers spend an average of nearly three hours per week, or 136 hours per year, solving computer-related problems. More than 70% of lost productivity is due to a lack of basic knowledge, which is exactly what ICDL certification addresses.

Using a seven-module certification program, ICDL validates each user’s proficiency in the areas of basic computer competency, including file management, Internet and e-mail use, spreadsheets, presentations and databases.

Based in Southport, Connecticut, ICDL-US is the sole U.S. licensee of the ICDL/European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Foundation. For more information, visit ICDL at www.icdlus.com or call 866-799-4235.

About Aster Technology Institute

Aster Technology Institute (ATI) is a private career college that has successfully trained and helped to secure employment for workers in the critical high needs areas of health care and information technology. Every ATI student participates in a four-to-eight week externship, allowing students to gain professional work experience and use their ATI training in the business community. ATI, located in Tacoma, Washington, has been placing graduates in jobs since 2000. ATI was founded by Berhane Zerom, a training industry veteran.

About the European Computer Driving Licence Foundation

The European Driving Licence Foundation Ltd. (ECDL-F) is the governing body for the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) program. The ECDL is an internationally recognized certification program with more than three million participants in more than 100 countries. The program is known as the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) outside Europe.

ECDL/ICDL certifies that the holder has knowledge of the essential concepts of information technology (IT) and is able to use a personal computer and common computer applications at a recognized level of competence.

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