Certification Partners and Linux Professional Institute Announce New Training Program

CIW certifications to be offered alongside new Linux Essentials Certificate of Achievement

TEMPE, Ariz. – Certification Partners, owner and developer of the industry standard CIW professional training and certification series, announces an innovative partnership with the Linux Professional Institute (www.lpi.org), the world's leading Linux certification organization. The partnership addresses the workforce development needs of employers and IT professionals by offering a combined training program in both LPI's Linux Essentials Certificate of Achievement and either the CIW Internet Business Associate or the CIW Network Technology Associate certification. This combined training and accreditation program will be delivered through CIW Certification Testing Centers (www.CIWcertified.com/Training_Delivery/become_ctc.php).

"Certification Partners is excited to offer the CIW Internet Business Associate and Network Technology Associate certifications along with LPI's new Linux Essentials certification," said Certification Partners President and Chief Certification Architect James Stanger, Ph.D. "Designed for anyone who wants to begin learning essential cloud computing and Linux knowledge, these certifications will give people the opportunity to validate knowledge of technologies used in today's IT workplace." Mr. Stanger added that Certification Partners is also looking at opportunities for classroom delivery of the combined program for academic and government organizations that require that type of IT instruction.

This partnering of CIW and Linux training and certification signifies the growing importance of job skills in the areas of foundational technologies and open-source solutions.

"Employers and government officials involved in IT workforce development have embraced LPI's Linux Essentials program with enthusiasm. However, they have also described to us that this accreditation required something additional for their entry-level workforce needs, particularly in Web and networking technologies. This partnership with CIW will address that requirement and will become a fundamental building block in creating the world's next generation of IT professionals," said Jim Lacey, president and CEO of LPI. Lacey added that this joint program will also address the shortage of entry-level qualified workers needed for the rapidly developing sector associated with cloud technology. Mr. Lacey made the announcement of the new LPI/CIW program while speaking at CeBIT 2013 in Hannover, Germany.

The combined LPI and Certification Partners program has the following elements:

• Stand alone delivery of the Linux Essentials exam through CIW Certification Testing Center (CTC) locations and online
• Linux Essentials e-learning (self-study) and online delivery of the Linux Essentials exam through the CIW CTC network
• Training (self-study) and testing bundles for the CIW Internet Business Associate and Linux Essentials programs
• Training (self-study) and testing bundles for the CIW Network Technology Associate and Linux Essentials programs

For additional information about the CIW Associate and LPI Linux Essentials programs, visit the following pages:

CIW Internet Business Associate —www.CIWcertified.com/Certifications/Web_Foundations_Series/iba.php

CIW Network Technology Associate — www.CIWcertified.com/Certifications/Web_Foundations_Series/nta.php

LPI Linux Essentials — www.lpi.org/linux-certifications/introductory-programs/linux-essentials

About Certification Partners:

Certification Partners delivers industry-leading courseware, certifications and training solutions to higher-education institutions, corporations, associations, government agencies, non-profit organizations and career-minded individuals. The company specializes in information technology (IT) job skills with its premier CIW brand, delivers essential workforce training with its LifeSkills certification series, and offers a variety of job skills training internationally with CertPRESS. Certification Partners products bring learners of all ages the knowledge and skills essential to success in the modern workplace. Certification Partners is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, with satellite offices in Ireland and Japan, plus a worldwide reseller network.

About the Linux Professional Institute:

The Linux Professional Institute provides a global framework, industry leadership and other services to enhance, develop and further lifelong professional careers in Linux and Open Source technologies. Established as an international non-profit organization in September 1999 by the Linux community, the Linux Professional Institute continues to demonstrate recognized global leadership, direction and skill standards for those who pursue a career in Linux and Open Source technology. LPI advances the Linux and Open Source movement through strategic partners, sponsorships, innovative programs and community development activities. LPI's major financial sponsors are Platinum Sponsors IBM, Linux Journal, Linux Magazine, Novell, SGI, and TurboLinux as well as Gold Sponsors, HP and IDG.