GRANTEE:                   Computer Systems Institute

ADDRESS:                  8930 Gross Point Road

                             Skokie, IL 60077

AMOUNT:                    $3,000,000

DURATION:                January 5, 2004 - January 5, 2007 (36 months)

POPULATION SERVED:  This project will train 592 individuals (approximately 432 incumbent workers and 160 unemployed workers) in the industry of Information Technology (IT), specifically training individuals for jobs as Systems Analysts and Systems Engineers. 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:  This project will have two programs and six courses in six training cycles focusing on high-level IT occupations.  The two programs are Systems Analyst and Systems Engineer.  The six courses are: Oracle, Java, J2EE, WebSphere, Net/ASP, Cisco, and Linux.  The programs are designed to address the needs of IT professionals and businesses coupling hands-on training with internships and on-the-job experience necessary to compete successfully.

Participating grant partners will contribute administrative services, incumbent trainees’ wages and salaries, mentoring of project trainees, quality oversight, advertising, administrative services, mailing lists, and physical facilities.  CSI will contribute project leadership, project management, training services, training facilities, E-Learning online education system, hardware and software, technical support, and grant and training administrative services.  This totals $3,045,210 in-kind matching funds.

This project will allow trainees to: 1) attain industry-recognized certifications, 2) gain or retain employment; gaining salary increases or position promotions, 3) earn up to 60 credit hours toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree, 4) link the trainee to industry-accepted occupational skill standards, and 5) displace some or all hiring of H-1B foreign workers by grant partners.

Individuals will be selected for training based on the following criteria: 1) Minimum of four years of experience in the field, 2) Excellent communication/presentation skills, and 3) Ability to work in a team environment.  These qualities will be tested possibly using the following methods: 1) applicant has at least a bachelor’s degree, 2) applicant scores 25 or higher on the Wonderlic Aptitude Test, and 3) applicant passes a personal interview.  For non-incumbent employees, CSI advisors will make the final determination regarding admission and program selection based on a candidate’s knowledge and skills, career goal, and level of determinations and motivation.

KEY PARTICIPANTS:  Computer Systems Institute (CSI), Hewitt Associates, BEZ Systems, SCI ProS, DigitalEve, City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, Chicago Employment Resource Center, Robert Morris College, Alliance Consulting, and AMC.

MEDIA CONTACT:    Ella Zibitsker

                            (847) 967-5030