DPEC Joins The Technology Training Tax Credit Coalition; Web-based Training Leader Seeks Tax Credits For IT Training As Set Forth In Bills HR 838 and S456 In The US Congress.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 1999--

DPEC, the number-one Web-based training provider of self-paced, real-time, interactive IT courseware, today announced that it has joined the Technology Training Tax Credit Coalition (TTTCC). DPEC and other members of the TTTCC seek to educate the US Senate and House of Representatives regarding the benefits of passing bills S 456 and HR 838 which provide employers a credit against income tax for information technology (IT) training expenses paid or incurred by an employer. Thirty-four members of the US Congress are cosponsoring the technology training tax credit legislation to help fill an estimated 340,000 available IT jobs.

The mission of the TTTCC is to enact federal tax credits for technology training in order to stimulate employment of new and displaced US workers in the US information technology industry and fill the critical and growing information technology labor gaps across all industries. To achieve these objectives leading trade associations in the information technology sector have joined with companies of all sizes to coordinate and promote the enactment of training tax credits.

DPEC offers the most efficient, valuable, and easy-to-use Web-based IT, desktop, and professional development training courses available. Because they are self-paced, interactive courses presented in, real-time over the Internet, intranets, local area networks, and standalone PC's - many are Microsoft Certified Professional Approved Study Guides and Microsoft Office User Specialist courses - students learn by doing, using high-quality courseware to provide the training needed just in time, anywhere, at any time. DPEC offers 300+ popular courses with topics including Java, HTML, the Internet, Microsoft Office, C++, Quicken, Paint Shop Pro, A+ and many others.

"We are excited to have the number-one Web-based IT training courseware provider join our ranks in the pursuit of a solution to the IT skills shortage in the United States," said Alan Hald, co-chairman of TTTCC and co-founder of MicroAge. "Together we will work to make passage of HR 838 and S456 happen."

"It is critical for the United States to invest in the future of its citizens and businesses. The most productive and cost-effective way to achieve that objective is to concentrate federal investment in incentives that help citizens enter competitive industries with high-paying jobs," said Carol Clark, president and CEO of DPEC, Inc. "The fastest growing and most productive job market in the world today is information technology. By providing added incentives for businesses and individuals to offer and take IT training, in the form of tax credits, the US stands to gain immeasurable benefits - and maintain its position as the dominant technology producer."

US Senators Cosponsoring S 456

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--       Hon. Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota)
--       Hon. Dianne Feinstein (D-California)
--       Hon. Thomas A. Daschle (D-South Dakota)
--       Hon. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota)
--       Hon. Harry Reid (D-Nevada)
--       Hon. Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Maryland)
--       Hon. Barbara Boxer (D-California)
--       Hon. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine)
--       Hon. Charles S. Robb (D-Virginia)
--       Hon. Patty Murray (D-Washington)
--       Hon. John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-West Virginia)
--       Hon. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Massachusetts)

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US House Members Cosponsoring HR 838

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--       Hon. James P. Moran (D-8th VA)
--       Hon. Matt Salmon (R-1st AZ)
--       Hon. Hon. Adam Smith (D-9th WA)
--       Hon. Frank R. Wolf (R-10th VA)
--       Hon. Carolyn Maloney (D-14th NY)
--       Hon. John Conyers, Jr. (D-14th MI)
--       Hon. Gene Green (D-29th TX)
--       Hon. Nydia M. Velazquez (D-12th NY)
--       Hon. Calvin M. Dooley (D-20th CA)
--       Hon. William (Mac) Thornberry (R-13th TX)
--       Hon. Ron E. Paul (R-14th TX)
--       Hon. Harold E. Ford, Jr. (D-9th TN)
--       Hon. Vic Snyder (D-2nd AR)
--       Hon. Rod R. Blagojevich (D-5th IL)
--       Hon. Robert A. Underwood (D-GU)
--       Hon. Ronald J. Kind (D-3rd WI)
--       Hon. Robert A. Weygand (D-2nd RI)
--       Hon. Karen L. Thurman (D-5th FL)
--       Hon. David E. Price (D-4th NC)
--       Hon. Rick Boucher (D-9th VA)
--       Hon. Debbie Stabenow (D-8th MI)
--       Hon. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-3rd LA)

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About DPEC

Founded in 1981, DPEC Inc., is the number-one Web-based training provider of self-paced, real-time IT courseware. The company was the first to offer interactive IT courses designed for Web browsers and is the only vendor offering all of its courses for use over the Internet and intranets. A pioneer in partnering with Internet service providers, DPEC boasts the largest base of exclusive ISP affiliates - over 900 worldwide. DPEC's courses are used for ongoing IT and Web training and just-in-time reference by consumers and businesses ranging in size from startups to multi-national corporations, including over 1000 of the Fortune 2000. DPEC is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information visit the DPEC Web site at www.dpec.com.

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