FULL SPEED AHEAD! Cerritos College is on the move once more attempting to reach the cutting edge of technology.
Recently Cerritos was chosen, as one of two Community Colleges in the state of California to join Microsoft’s IT (Information Technology) program being offered nation wide through various community colleges nation wide.
There are approximately 108 community colleges in California. However, because of Cerritos’ reputation it won hand-over-fist.
“Actually, we have been working on this since the beginning of the Fall Semester 2002,” says Norm Fujimoto, Instructional Dean of Science, Engineering and Math.
“Microsoft approached us to see if we were interested. They [also] came and visited the campus in October.
I think the one thing it shows is that this group felt that Cerritos is one of the leading Community Colleges in technology.”
There will be twelve sites that will host across the country. Despite all the budget conflicts the state has had to trifle with.
The budget crunch will not affect this program because Microsoft is footing the bill.
In order for a student to qualify for the certification the instructor must be certified.
“One of the strongest demands in the industry is the certified professional. Obviously, Microsoft has very large market shares, so we are setting up this program to help our students get some marketable skills and begin a rewarding career,” explains Ken Lou, Professor of Science and Engineering.
According to a Cerritos College news release, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Employment Projections from 1998-2008, four of the five fastest-growing occupations in the economy are all computer related, with employment numbers expected to grow over 100 percent.
There is an annual membership that the school pays for the program, which is approximately $5,000 annually. Students can take advantage of this program at the same rate as tuition.
For more information concerning the Microsoft IT program, please contact Professor Kenny Lou at (562) 860 2451 x 2970 or at [email protected].
