First-Ever Microsoft Office Regional Competition in Spain Highlights the Need for Critical Global Computing Skills

Students to showcase technical proficiency at Certiport-sponsored event on June 28-29, 2010, in Madrid

MADRID, Spain – June 23, 2010

Certiport, the official test delivery solution provider for the global workforce and academic markets, announced the launch of the first-ever Regional Competition on Microsoft® Office for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)—a competition focused on a student's ability to demonstrate proficiency utilizing the world's foremost desktop computing applications in the global marketplace.

With the vast majority of jobs across almost all sectors demanding computer literacy as a requirement, this contest provides eligible students with the ability to achieve more, distinguish themselves and advance in today's competitive academic and professional environments.

Details about the Regional Competition on Microsoft Office: www.certiport.com/emeacompetition

"The students of today will be competing in a global economy and that means their skills need to be world-class," said Ray Kelly, chief executive officer, Certiport. "With industry, government and consumers all over the world recognizing the importance and value of industry-recognized credentials, this regional competition is designed to be a catalyst encouraging more students to seek certification. In turn, they will become competent employees able to fulfill workforce opportunities."

According to a recent study sponsored by Microsoft involving 13 European countries, finding employees with the right skills has become a major issue for employers in Europe and millions face being locked out of the job market due to their lack of computer skills. The study also found that 58% of employers believe the education sector is not doing enough to prepare young for the modern workplace.

"While unemployment numbers are slowly improving, competition for jobs all over the world continues to be intense," said Quinn Sutton, senior vice president, Certiport. "This competition represents one way that Certiport hopes to encourage students to match their skills with other competitors, while also providing them with the critical skill sets they need in order to be successful."

Current students who pass a qualifying exam and are enrolled in an approved, degree-seeking academic institution are eligible to compete. The regional Champions of Word and Excel will receive cash prizes, and the opportunity to compete at this year's World Championships held in Park City, Utah, in August 2010.

In its sixth year, Certiport's Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office, has grown steadily since its inauguration and the number of exams entered worldwide has doubled over last year. Honoring the important role that certification plays in the standards and assessment community, this premier student technology competition helps validate that students have the expertise needed to compete in the global workforce. Participants who outperform their peers and make the final round of the Competition generally have perfect or near-perfect exam scores and completion times well below the allotted examination time.

More information about the Microsoft Office Specialist certification program can be found at: www.certiport.com/officespecialist.

About Certiport

Certiport is the leading provider of value-added, computerized test delivery services that include an expansive network of Certiport testing centers worldwide. Its comprehensive services encompass test development, psychometrics, program management, sales and marketing for the official Microsoft® Office certification programs, the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program, the iCritical Thinking™ Certification powered by ETS, the CompTIA Strata™ IT Fundamentals and the Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®). Certiport reliably delivers almost two million exams each year throughout the secondary, post-secondary, workforce and corporate technology markets in more than 142 countries and 24 languages worldwide.

"Certiport" and "IC³" are registered trademarks of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. "Microsoft" is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Press Contact:
Brenda Armstrong
1.801.602.0305
barmstrong@certiport.com