|
Press Release |
|||
|
SSPA Partners with Prometric Thomson Learning To Provide Online Certification Testing(San Diego, California September 13, 2001) – The Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA), the leading industry Association for IT support professionals, and Prometric, a division of Thomson Learning, the global leader in technology-based testing and assessment services, announced today the launch of online testing for SSPA Certification Programs. The SSPA Certification Program - developed in conjunction with forty IT companies representing the IT industry, consists of support-centered, industry-tailored training and certification testing delivered over the internet using Prometric’s web-based testing tool, PRIME. The exam takes maximum advantage of the state-of-the-art delivery mechanism for cost- effective learning via the Internet. The test may be found at www.supportgate.com.“The SSPA and Prometric partnership will provide comprehensive online testing for all of our certification courses,” said Bill Rose, SSPA Founder/Executive Director. “Prometric is a global leader in computer-based assessment technology, and our vast community membership will benefit from the years of testing and assessment experience.” Rose adds, “Prometric has packaged its experience in delivering more than 15 million exams into a tool that allows test owners, such as SSPA, the control of authoring, publishing and delivering online tests through the Supportgate web site, with the ease of use and accessibility we expect from the Internet.” Prime is Prometric’s web-based testing tool that will power all SSPA certification programs. Prometric Prime allows test authoring publishing and delivery, as well as reporting functions. These functions are all delivered via a Prometric server-side application, and may normally be accessed from Prometric’s web site twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Prime produces instant scoring upon completion so there’s no waiting for test results. “Prime is one of the most advanced internet-based test products available,” said Mark Goulding, Prometric Vice President. “The online tool provides robust, reliable support. Because Prime is Web-deliverable, it provides easy accessibility and greater control over testing and assessment programs for the IT certification candidate. SSPA’s On-Line Testing, available at www.supportgate.com, consists of 75 multiple-choice and true/false questions and must be completed in three hours or less. Questions will test the examinee’s knowledge in areas such as communication to develop relationships; effective listening techniques; effective telephone communications; basics of on-line communication; supporting a multi-cultural customer base; adapting to customer knowledge levels; personal development of the support technician and many others. The successful test candidate will receive an official Certificate that they can proudly frame and display in their office or workspace. They also will be acknowledged on the Supportgate weekly SupportWeek Infoletter and listed on the Supportgate web site under the appropriate Individual Certified Programs section. The on-line exam can be taken without attending a training class, and there is a cost for each test taking experience. The SSPA, Service Strategies Corporation (SSC) and the industry sponsored Task Force have targeted the five levels of support typically found in today's service and support center and have created the following ICP levels: CUSTOMER SERVICE QUALIFIED - (CSQ) For non-technical administrative support people. CERTIFIED SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL - (CSP) Soft skills-based, it is designed for entry-level technicians. CERTIFIED SUPPORT SPECIALIST - (CSS) Similar to the Certified Support Professional (CSP) in areas measured, for experienced technicians. CERTIFIED SUPPORT MANAGER - (CSM) For the Customer Support Manager. CERTIFIED SUPPORT EXECUTIVE - (CSE) For the ultimate “owner” of the support center function within an organization, the senior level executive. About Prometric®, a Thomson Learning company Prometric (www.prometric.com) is the global leader in the delivery of technology-based testing and assessment services for information technology certification, academic admissions, and professional licensure/certification, delivering standardized tests for more than 180 clients, in 25 languages, over the web or through a network of more than 4,100 testing centers in 128 countries. Based in Baltimore, MD, Prometric employs more than 1,500 full-time employees worldwide. Prometric is the technology-based testing division of Thomson Learning ( target="_blank">www.thomsonlearning.com), one of the world's leading providers of learning solutions. Thomson Learning serves the needs of individuals, learning institutions, and corporations with products and services for traditional and electronic learning. Thomson Learning is part of the Thomson Corporation, a leading, global e-information and solutions company in the business and professional marketplace with 2000 revenues of U.S. $6.0 billion. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the Toronto and London Stock Exchanges. About SSPA Founded in 1989, SSPA represents over 15,000 service executives in over 500 member companies worldwide. SSPA gives service and support professionals opportunities to share ideas, discuss developing trends and network with their peers. SSPA offers its members conferences, seminars, specialized training, executive forums, certification programs and a variety of publications. SSPA resides at the web portal of Supportgate at www.supportgate.com. Through these ‘gates’ you will find the Membership Communities of the Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA), the SSPA Europe, the SSPA Asia Pacific, the SSPA Service Vendor Alliance, (SVA) and the SSPA Professionals Membership. Editorial Contact: Ron Johnson Supportgate.com 909.244.7002 rjohnson@supportgate.com top of page |
|||