National Campaign to Put Businesses on the Global Fast Track; J-1 Visa Packs International Punch.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2000

In the next three years, American businesses will continue to face the challenges and opportunities caused by the heightened competition of a global economy, according to a recent GartnerGroup report. The need for international savvy has never been higher as U.S. businesses, large and small, prepare to do business overseas.

For this reason, the Association of International Practical Training (AIPT) announced the rollout of an outreach campaign to educate high-tech companies about a solution to this pressing human resources need--the J-1 visa.

The little-known J-1 visa offers companies an opportunity to have foreign students or professionals for short term assignments, giving American business and employees a chance to learn about the business practices of other countries and cultures during an 18-month time period. In fact, the J-1 visa can help companies:

-- Cross-train a global workforce

-- Increase output with the use of trainees

-- Expand international contacts and global network

-- Enhance service and image through an international workforce

While seasoned high-tech companies on the West Coast have caught on to the benefits of the J-1 visa, the newer tech companies on the East Coast have not.

"IBM has had terrific results from the J-1 visa program," said Josephine Cheng, database technology institute engineer at IBM's San Jose location. "Both the trainee and IBM benefit." IBM trainees work with the company's operating systems and the design and testing of new products. IBM has 20 trainees each year.

"In today's fierce international economy, companies have to nderstand the business culture and practices of key markets around the world," said Elizabeth Chazottes, chief executive officer and executive director of AIPT. "J-1 trainees give companies direct access to the knowledge they need to compete effectively."

As part of the overall campaign--and to prepare for what is likely to be a surge of openings for trainees--AIPT has created the first online placement service, called PINPOINT, which offers companies and HR departments another way to recruit trainees.

The user-friendly site, at www.pinpointtraining.org, links employers with foreign students and professionals interested in U.S. training opportunities. Companies can post their job profiles online and review available candidate profiles; trainees can post their resumes and view openings. AIPT first screens applicants to ensure the candidate is eligible for the J-1 visa program and has the needed technical qualifications.

Currently, about 20,000 J-1 visa corporate trainees are working in the United States with companies such as Microsoft, Cisco Systems and Amazon.com.

The Association for International Practical Training (AIPT) is the largest J-1 visa sponsor of corporate trainees in the United States. AIPT arranges workplace exchanges in 80 professional fields, bringing employers and trainees together from 70 countries around the world. With the talent supplied by AIPT, employers can increase productivity, efficiency and international savvy.