[Orlando, Florida] – August 3, 2006 – CCI Learning Solutions Inc. today announced students Laurie Keehn and Winnie Huang as the Canadian Champions for the 2006 Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office presented by Certiport.

The 2006 Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office presented by Certiport is a global competition testing student skills on Microsoft Office Word and Microsoft Office Excel. Countries all around the world hosted local competitions to determine Country Champions on the Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams. Laurie and Winnie are in Orlando Florida at the Certiport PATHWAYS 2006 World Conference with more than 100 contestants from over 50 countries competing along side them for the top honors.

“I was very surprised when I first found out that I won the Canadian Championship for Microsoft Word.” said Laurie; a student from Slate Training Centre in Edmonton Alberta. “My surprise quickly turned into excitement and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Canada in the Worldwide Competition.”

Dale Tucker, Director of Slate Training Centre, commented, “Laurie was a model student who was committed to her studies and took pride in doing well. She had great success while attending school here and we are very proud of her academic and career accomplishments. We wish Laurie future success in life and in Orlando; we know she will represent Canada well. Good luck Laurie!”

While enrolled in the Office Administrator with Technology Program at BCIT in Vancouver British Columbia Winnie wrote and passed certification exams for Microsoft Word and Access but it was the perfect score she achieved on her Microsoft Excel exam that assured her a place among the finalists. “It is an absolute honor representing Canada to compete in the Worldwide Competition in Orlando. I am extremely excited and truly grateful for this opportunity. What a great way this is to begin the path to a bright and successful future!”

Winnie’s achievements and performance didn’t go unnoticed; upon graduation Winnie was hired by BCIT as a Scheduling Administrative Assistant.

Speaking of the Worldwide Competition David Saedi, President and CEO of Certiport explained, “This worldwide competition provides an annual opportunity for aspiring champions to prove their skills on the level playing field of globally recognized standards of office productivity. The outcome of this contest will undoubtedly show that tens of thousands of students worldwide are stepping up to the challenge to prove their skills with Microsoft Office. Acquiring these validated desktop computing skills is vital to improving job performance and achieving career success.”

At the Worldwide Competition country champions will compete to become the 2006 Microsoft Office Specialist World Champion for Microsoft Word and the 2006 Microsoft Office Specialist World Champion for Microsoft Excel. As part of the event, this year’s country champions will also experience various cultural and relationship building activities, and enjoy Orlando’s Disney World attractions. An awards banquet at the end of the event will feature local and international dignitaries recognizing the student champions for their achievements in the area of desktop proficiency. The two worldwide champions will be awarded a “total technology kit” prize package containing the latest digital productivity tools, valued at nearly $4,000.

Microsoft Canada provided Winnie and Laurie fabulous software prize packages that included, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Digital Image Suite and other titles.

About Microsoft Office Specialist
Microsoft Office Specialist is a globally recognized method of developing, certifying, and identifying superior skills with the Microsoft Office business productivity programs. Microsoft Office Specialist certification is the only Microsoft Office certification recognized by businesses throughout the world. Ninety-five percent of all businesses standardize on the Microsoft Office productivity system. To date, more than two million certifications have been issued worldwide in as many as 17 languages. For more information on the Microsoft Office Specialist Program, visit www.microsoft.com/officespecialist.

About the Winning Students

Laurie Keehn, Canadian Champion for Microsoft Office Specialist Word
I decided to attend Slate Training Centre when I was feeling a bit lost as to what to do with my life. Slate offers certification in the Microsoft Office suite, which was a deciding factor in choosing to attend that school. Prior to going to Slate I had a good foundation of computer skills to build on. I grew up using computers and while attending university I used Microsoft Office programs on a regular basis. Even still, I had a lot to learn! Using the courseware, I was able to build on and expand my prior knowledge. It’s amazing how versatile and vast the Microsoft programs are. In March I received my diploma from Slate in Office Administration and am currently using Microsoft Word every day in my job in Inside Sales. People in the office come to me when they need help with Microsoft Office programs and I am able to assist them thanks to the skills I learned from Slate Training Centre and my instructors at Slate!

Winnie Huang, Canadian Champion for Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
Working for the City of Surrey as a dance instructor gave Winnie the opportunity to do something she loves - teaching children how to dance. However, Winnie wanted the security of a full-time office job. In the fall of 2005, Winnie enrolled in BCIT's Office Administrator with Technology Program, because she liked the short, intensive style of the program. One of the graduation requirements is to pass two Microsoft Office Specialist exams. Winnie wrote and passed three: Word, Access, and Excel (with a perfect score). Although the OAT program is intense, Winnie stayed involved with community work by volunteering and encouraging others to take up dancing. Upon graduation, Winnie was hired by BCIT as a Scheduling Administrative Assistant.

About Slate Training Centre
Slate Training Centre, a computer and business career college, is a private post secondary institution licensed by Alberta Advanced Education. We have delivered career training to individuals like Laurie for over a decade. Our blended training, consisting of individualized learning and instructor led training, have provided the quality environment whereby students have the opportunity to gain and develop their skills so they will be effective and efficient in today’s competitive workforce. For more information about Slate Training Centre, visit www.slatetraining.com

About BCIT
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is one of Canada's premier polytechnic institutes. It offers programs that lead to certificates, diplomas and degrees in technologies, business, health sciences and trades. As a polytech, BCIT has a strong focus on innovative and collaborative instruction. For more information about BCIT, visit www.bcit.ca

About CCI Learning Solutions Inc.
CCI Learning Solutions Inc. offers complete solutions for teaching and validating essential skills needed in today's workplace. CCI provides courseware for instructor led classes, e-learning courses, blended training solutions and is a Microsoft Office Specialist Authorized Exam Distributor of the official Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams. CCI proudly sponsored the Canadian Championships of the 2006 Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office presented by Certiport. For more information about CCI, visit www.ccilearning.com

Certiport is a registered trademarks of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Press Contact:
Vanessa Hatchard
Vice President of Sales
CCI Learning Solutions Inc.
1-800-668-1669 (ext 239)
vhatchard@ccilearning.com