Technology For All to Utilize SmartForce Grant to Help Create a More Diverse and Better Trained Workforce
Program provides e-Learning scholarships for Community Technology Centers serving America's Underserved

HOUSTON, Texas and SAN DIEGO, California- (June 15, 2001) - Technology For All (TFA) announced today a national initiative that will utilize computer proficiency training scholarships granted to TFA by SmartForce, the e-Learning Company, and its SmartForce e-Learning Foundation (SELF). The initiative will help support workforce training programs in Community Technology Centers (CTCs) serving underserved persons and the communities they live in across the U.S. The announcement was made in San Diego during a national conference of the Community Technology Centers Network (CTCNet).

Part of a collaboration between Technology For All, its program partners and corporate sponsors, the initiative aims to help CTCs empower their constituents through technology training that will prepare them for opportunities of employment in many different industries including IT. Through Technology For All, SmartForce e-Learning training will be provided to people who would not otherwise have access to technology training. The program will provide individual participants with access to the complete suite of SmartForce e-Learning courses including everything from basic technology skills to several certification tracks.

The in-kind scholarships from SELF will impact up to 150,000 students each year at CTCs operated by TFA program partners, which include member organizations of CTCNet, the America Connects Consortium, the LINCT Coalition, HUD's Neighborhood Networks Initiative and local TFA affiliated initiatives bringing technology resources and training to underserved communities.

This program marks another installment of TFA's national effort to create opportunities for the underserved and their communities. As the only national distributor of SmartForce e-Learning Scholarships to community technology centers, TFA is in a unique position to be a change agent in communities across the US by supporting and assisting local community based efforts. The SmartForce e-Learning Foundation, which granted the scholarships to TFA, has also granted SELF scholarships to individual organizations in some local communities, but it is working through TFA as a part of national rollout plan. The rollout plan will focus first on CTC initiatives in major US cities, but all CTCs across America will have an opportunity to work with TFA to utilize the SmartForce scholarships in service to their constituents and their communities.

The TFA SmartForce initiative was beta tested with TFA affiliated CTCs in Houston and Denver. The training scholarships are being offered in collaboration with local community based organizations and corporations working together to prepare more diverse skilled workforce for the growing needs of America's employers. Corporations and employers in local communities will be encouraged to "Sponsor a Student". In addition, CTCs will be encouraged to work with employers to train students with skill sets employers need in new employees, thus providing employment opportunities for CTC constituents who complete training.

"Technology training and workforce development with the disadvantaged and underserved are critical to the growth and prosperity of our nation and its people," said Technology For All President and CEO William S. Reed. "The SmartForce e-Learning scholarships utilized by the persons served by our CTC program partners will create an opportunity for CTCs to dramatically impact the economic health of our communities and our nation." The TFA Board of Directors, chaired by Enron Chairman Ken Lay, praised the initiative in accepting the grant from SmartForce at its recent board meeting. The partnership is a great example of how the public and private sectors can support the mutual goal to build a diverse workforce ready to meet the growing demands of business and industry.

The SmartForce e-Learning Foundation is working through TFA and its community program partners across the US. Partner organizations work with TFA to select scholarship recipients, each of which will receive access through the TFA website to the SmartForce library of more than 1800 courses, 24X7 expert mentoring, discussion groups and online seminars. Many courses are available in other languages including Spanish. The available courses cover a broad array of topics including basic computer skills, certification tracks such as A+, Inet, Cisco and Microsoft Certifications, as well as critical business skills and workplace skills such as team building, conflict resolution, financial management and others.

About Technology For All
Technology For All (TFA) is a national nonprofit initiative focused on bringing technology to underserved communities. Using a network model to bridge the digital divide, TFA is creating educational, economic and personal opportunities for America's underserved through technology access, shared content and community relationships. National Sponsors include Enron (www.enron.com) and SmartForce (www.smartforce.com ) along with other corporate sponsors. Program partners include the Community Technology Centers Network, HUD's Neighborhood Network Initiative, the America Connects Consortium, the LINCT Coalition, local TFA initiatives and individual CTCs. Technology For All has working relationships with CTCs and/or local initiatives in the following cities: Austin, Texas; Boulder, Colorado; Casper Wyoming; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbia, South Carolina; Galveston, Texas; Greely, Colorado; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; Lufkin, Texas; New York, City; Portland, Oregon; San Diego, California; and Washington D.C. TFA national headquarters are located at 109 North Post Oak Lane, Suite 425, Houston, Texas, 77024. Phone: 713.316.5764. Web site: www.techforall.org

Technology For All and the Technology For All logo are trademarks of Technology For All, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.