ACT and Certiport Partner to Promote Digital Literacy

August 26, 2003

IOWA CITY, Iowa—ACT today announced a strategic partnership with Certiport Inc. aimed at increasing the computer literacy and employability skills of the workforce. Under the partnership agreement, ACT and Certiport will share computer–based certification and skill assessment services at each company's network of nationwide testing centers by November 2003, making them more accessible to employers, instructors, students and other individuals looking to improve their computer skills.

"Having a command of the basics—reading, writing and arithmetic—is no longer enough for high school and college graduates. They must also be proficient in computer skills," said Tom Saterfiel, senior vice president of corporate development at ACT. "Our partnership with Certiport will help individuals become better prepared for the computer–dependent workforce."

Certiport's Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) exam is widely recognized as the "gateway" computer certification. ACT will offer both the Certiport-designed IC³ and the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification exams through its national network of over 200 ACT Centers^SM, most of which deliver a comprehensive array of high-stakes testing and training services, including computer-based certifications. ACT embraced IC³ because it is a quality, standards-based certification built with broad industry participation and support. IC³ also complements ACT's WorkKeys^® skill assessment system, which measures foundational workplace skills. WorkKeys will be offered through Certiport Centers by November.

The partnership will allow individuals to both demonstrate and strengthen their computer skills. Those who have strong computer skills can demonstrate them via certification, while others can improve them with computer training courses available at both ACT Centers and Certiport Centers.

"The nation's employers are already facing a severe shortage in qualified job applicants, a shortage that is destined to become even more critical over the next decade. The skills gap between those who are computer literate and those who are not will only add to this problem," said Saterfiel. "ACT and Certiport are committing their combined expertise and resources to help close both the digital divide and the skills gap."

According to David Saedi, president and chief executive officer of Certiport, "Benefiting from ACT's 40-plus years of distinguished history and reputation in skills assessment, our partnership brings together the unparalleled abilities for large-scale deployment of industry-accepted assessments together with the research-based, validated digital literacy standard of IC³. This partnership will benefit academia in preparing individuals with the foundational skills necessary to survive in our digital economy, just as the ACT Assessment^® has helped with universal adoption of knowledge-based college entrance requirements. This partnership will ultimately influence the workforce in training, retention and development programs for employees."

Additional Links

List of Certiport Center locations (Opens new window.)
General Information about Certiport (Opens new window.)