LARA - Michigan Career and Technical Institute Wins National Award Recognized for Effective Use of e-Learning Software for Training People with Disabilities

Michigan Career and Technical Institute Wins National Award Recognized for Effective Use of e-Learning Software for Training People with Disabilities

Contact: Mario Morrow (517) 373-9280

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

May 25, 2012. The Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) was named the Association of Rehabilitation Programs in Computer Technology (ARPCT) Program of the Year at the 2012 SkillSoft Conference, April 30-May 4 in Orlando, Fla. The award recognizes the ARPCT member program that most effectively uses donated SkillSoft e-Learning software to train and support individuals with disabilities.

"We are delighted to receive this recognition," said LARA Director Steven H. Hilfinger. "MCTI's partnership with SkillSoft has proven to be invaluable for training the customers we serve."

SkillSoft training modules are utilized in several of MCTI's vocational training programs and focus on students developing communication, customer service, telephone, IT, and business skills, as well as advanced technical programs. The modules for higher-end courses and training for national certifications - CompTIA A+, Network+, Windows 7, Security, and Network Operating Systems - augment textbooks/lab manuals for these courses. Students are gauged for readiness in taking national exams by the SkillSoft Prep Tests. The 24/7 access gives students options outside of the classroom.

"MCTI students using the SkillSoft modules get ‘to-the-point scenarios' and examples of real-world situations they may encounter in daily life," said Hilfinger. "The ‘read-for-me option' significantly helps MCTI students who have various learning disabilities."

SkillSoft/SmartForce has supported ARPCT member programs since 1999 with an extensive library of donated e-Learning content. MCTI's long partnership began in 1987 with CBT Systems that became SmartForce in 1999. SkillSoft is now the world's largest provider of corporate quality online e-Learning.

ARPCT, an international organization founded in 1977 under sponsorship from IBM Corporation, has provided 35 years of quality training and placement services for individuals with disabilities in the field of computer technologies. ARPCT member programs such as MCTI develop partnerships with businesses, government and private rehabilitation service organizations, people with disabilities, and education and training facilities.

MCTI is a state-operated, residential career training center located on the shores of Pine Lake in southwest Michigan under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Michigan Rehabilitation Services.

For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara

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