Program Provides Technology Training for Transitioning Executives

ARLINGTON, VA, SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 - The University of Management and Technology is working with the Technology Executive Institute (TEI) on a training program to help transitioning executives to obtain the technological expertise they need to be competitive.

"Our goal is to provide the latest IT training, education, and placement for retiring executives, military officers, teachers, and others," said Elizabeth Spahr, TEI's chief executive officer. "We like to refer to it as an 'IT boot camp' for senior executives."

The training program helps to fill an employment gap that has developed in recent years, Spahr said. Many technology companies are struggling to fill positions, particularly in the management area. At the same time, there is a large contingent of older executives who have substantial management experience but need to upgrade their technical skills.

The 14-week program includes: survey courses of current technological/business issues, technical training in network engineering, database management, the Internet and other areas; on-site experiences with employers; and an opportunity for consulting.

Participants expressed satisfaction with what they are learning. "Making the choice to take the TEI program was a major turning point in my working life," said William C. Mohler, a network engineer at Sprint Link.

Another student, David Dawson, added, "I am understanding material I never could have comprehended four weeks ago."

TEI, based in Arlington, is a consortium of IT training, educational and executive search and placement organizations, in partnership with over 500 hundred IT employers. TEI developed the program in consultation with our several hundred participating IT employers.

"It's a very well rounded program," said UMT President Yanping Chen. "UMT's role is to provide training in management and technical areas in which students are interested."