Novell Authorized Training Programs and CompTIA's Learning Alliance Join Forces

CompTIA and Novell, Inc announced today that Novell's world-wide network of Authorized Training Centers have been invited to join the CompTIA Learning Alliance (CLA) - the IT industry seal of recognition for quality training providers. This acceptance of the Novell® Training Channel into the CLA program - a first for a major IT vendor - offers compelling new incentives and an accelerated qualification process for training providers to become part of a leading channel program, expanding their revenue opportunities in the process.

"Effective training programs - critical to the success of a company like Novell - need to offer training partners ways to increase profitability and growth, a real challenge in the consolidating market we're seeing today," said Aaron Osmond, Novell's managing director of worldwide training services. "This innovative partnership between Novell and CompTIA does precisely that by inserting Novell firmly into the vision pioneered by CompTIA of broad, vendor-neutral training, a requirement in today's heterogeneous IT world."

Existing Novell training partners will automatically be accepted into the CompTIA Learning Alliance program from January 1st through June 30th, 2003, after which time they will be invited to renew their membership in the CLA program.

Additionally, current CompTIA Learning Alliance partners can become Novell Authorized Training Partners if they certify their use of a Certified Novell InstructorSM (CNISM) and the use of Novell Authorized Curriculum when delivering Novell training in their facilities.

"Training providers participating in the CompTIA Learning Alliance program can recognize a significant cost savings through this agreement, enabling quality training centers to earn and carry the authorized brand of both Novell and CompTIA," said Osmond.

Participation in the CompTIA Learning Alliance also offers training providers sales tools to assist them in generating incremental revenue. "Exclusive CLA benefits such as access to the Money Maker sales tool provides IT training companies with a rich set of sales training resources to rapidly grow their business," said Martin Bean, COO of New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, Inc., and author of the recently published book, Bean There, Done That - Everything I've Learned about Selling I.T. Training.

"Novell's decision to embrace the CLA program on behalf of its Authorized Training Channel further supports their recognition of CompTIA as the leading vendor-neutral certification provider," said John Venator, president and CEO, CompTIA. "Effective April 1, 2003, and announced previously, Novell is requiring CompTIA's Network+ certification as a requirement for the CNASM 6 certification, a move that is mirrored throughout the industry by vendors integrating CompTIA vendor-neutral certifications as foundational credentials leading to their own higher level vendor-specific certifications. Bringing our training channel programs closer together to streamline the process further is the next logical step," he said.

"Our collaboration with CompTIA on several levels delivers real value to the industry and enables Novell to accelerate rapid adoption and proficiency around our latest suite of products and services," Osmond said. "When the leaders in the industry work together on behalf of IT professionals around the globe, our partners and clients can enjoy "best in class" service that drives real value to the bottom line."

More information about the CompTIA Learning Alliance is available at www.comptia.org/cla. More information on Novell's education programs can be found at http://www.novell.com/education/.