ACS Makes Education More Accessible for Unemployed

ICT Professional Society Reduces Cost of its Industry-leading Certification Program for Unemployed Members

Friday 4 April 2003 In a bid to assist unemployed members in improving the relevance and currency of their knowledge and skills, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) has discounted the price of its highly regarded Certification (CMACS) Program for members who are out of work.

ACS President, Richard Hogg, said the move is one of several initiatives by the ACS to help the growing number of members who can't find full time employment in ICT to improve their situation.

"A recent survey of ACS members showed that 11.9 per cent are currently struggling to find work in ICT. By making the CMACS Program more affordable for members who work less than 20 hours per week in ICT, we hope they will be able to update their skills and enhance their chances of finding new employment," he said.

The price reduction will be offered for a trial period until 30 June 2003, with individual CMACS subjects available to ACS members who are unemployed or underemployed for just $495 per subject. This compares with the normal price of $1095 per subject or the special member price of $825.

Members will continue to receive the discount throughout their program if their employment status makes them eligible. The offer will be reviewed on July 1 2003 for new enrolments.

Who is eligible?

Any member or associate member of the ACS who:

• Has been a member of the ACS for at least two years and
• Is unemployed, or
• Is currently working less than 20 hours a week in ICT, averaged over the last six weeks.

How to apply

To receive the discount, members need to register for the subject and provide a signed statement showing:

• Name, Member number
• Details of last full time position in ICT and the date that ceased
• Record of any employment since that last full time position in ICT.

For more information about ACS Certification, see www.acs.org.au/certification or call 1800 671 003

This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/040403.htm

ENDS

About the Australian Computer Society: The ACS is the recognised association for information technology (IT) professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the IT industry and providing a wide range of services to its 16,000+ members. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the public voice of the IT profession and the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the IT industry, with a commitment to the wider community to ensure the beneficial use of IT. See the ACS Home Page for more information.

Media Enquiries:

Richard Hogg, ACS National President, Tel: (0408) 549 531, Email: richard_hogg@acslink.net.au

Caroline New, PR Consultant, Tel: (02) 9555 1986 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au