Boston University's TrainingTrack Adds San Diego Area to Affiliate Network; MicroSkills To Offer University's Acclaimed Project Management Programs.

Business/Education Editors

TrainingTrack, Boston University's innovative corporate education venture, today announced the addition of San Diego-based MicroSkills(TM) to its affiliate network. Industry leading pioneers in the field of technology training, the founders of MicroSkills(TM) have been providing technical training since 1996.

"As one of the top 20 worldwide Microsoft Certified Technical Training Centers, MicroSkills(TM)' goal is to provide its students with the most relevant and highest quality technical education available anywhere," said Bart Saxey, president of MicroSkills(TM). "Boston University's Project Management Programs are a perfect complement to our courseware. They enable us to offer our students a complete training model that incorporates both technical know-how and business-critical implementation skills."

In today's corporation, skilled project managers have a tremendous impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of executive business initiatives. According to a recent study by Standish Group International, of the more than $250 billion spent annually on IT application development, 88 percent of all projects are over schedule, over budget, or both. Average cost overruns are 189 percent over original estimates and time estimates average more than 222 percent over original approximations.

"In an economy in which the successful implementation of a new application can provide a critical competitive edge, the corporate need for skilled project managers continues to grow rapidly," said Andy Kelley, CEO of TrainingTrack. "MicroSkills(TM) will now be able to offer Boston University`s world-class project management programs, in addition to its exemplary technical training. This combination will enable its students to achieve professional excellence, success and personal job satisfaction. We are delighted to welcome Microskills to our affiliate network."

TrainingTrack is building a select network of affiliates based on best-of-breed content. Currently, its network of regional training companies and academic institutions spans 14 states and two international locations. TrainingTrack provides these affiliates with Boston University programs, products and services that enable them to achieve market leadership through best of breed standards. Boston University's TrainingTrack offerings include: project management seminars and certificate programs, IT programs for career changers, vendor neutral IT seminars and manufacturer authorized education programs. Currently TrainingTrack has affiliates in: Alabama, California, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Missouri, nationally, and Canada and the Caribbean internationally.

MicroSkills(TM) plans to offer Boston University's Project Management Programs and courseware beginning in mid-September of this year.

About MicroSkills(TM)

MicroSkills(TM)' goal is to provide the highest quality of technical training for our students in a comprehensive transitional education model that provides leading edge technology. Through a blend of instructor-led courses and unique "Knowledge and Skills Transfer Sessions," MicroSkills(TM) is providing each student with the most effective technical education available anywhere. Widely acknowledged as a Top 20 world-wide Microsoft Certified Technical Training Center (CTEC), MicroSkills(TM) is a pioneer and industry leader in the field technology training. With the use of its proprietary skills assessment tool, the IT Practicum,(TM) MicroSkills(TM) is able to evaluate individual or team technical strengths and provide the most efficient and cost effective customized training available today. In true leadership fashion, MicroSkills(TM), as the world's first certified Certivo Authorized Training Provider has also taken the lead in the implementation of global industry Certivo standards. Headquartered in San Diego, MicroSkills(TM) has been providing training to the area since 1999.

About TrainingTrack

TrainingTrack is a groundbreaking venture from Boston University that provides IT and management development training products and services internationally. Led by a senior management team that was instrumental in making Boston University's Corporate Education Center New England's leading IT training and project management provider, TrainingTrack is developing a network of regional training organizations and academic institutions that offer the proven IT and project management curricula from Boston University. In addition to award-winning programs, affiliates gain access to marketing, recruitment and career changer support services developed at Boston University. TrainingTrack affiliates can act as resellers of Boston University-delivered programs under their own brand or they may choose to deliver training using "Boston University Official Curriculum" courseware, and TrainingTrack's program and marketing support. Affiliates will also have the opportunity to distribute their own in-demand, quality programs through the TrainingTrack network. TrainingTrack is on the Web at www.trainingtrack.com and can be contacted at [phone].