Semcon first in Scandinavia with long WAP training programme

Semcon first in Scandinavia with long WAP training programme. Semcon signed a general agreement today with the County Labour Board / Labour Exchange in Gävle (LAN/AF), for 24 week-long WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) training programmes that have been developed by the Semcon Competence Development business area. The general agreement will continue until 31 December 2001. Its purpose is to be able to quickly implement high quality courses to satisfy the market's sizeable demand for qualified WAP-technicians. As a first stage, Semcon will train up to 20 future WAP Internet developers. WAP technology, or communications through mobile systems, is currently experiencing incredible growth. Cellular telephones equipped with WAP functions are already beginning to be available on the market, and users are increasingly demanding the capability to retrieve information from the Internet to their cellular phones. WAP technology offers both individuals and businesses a great variety of new services and applications. "The general agreement with LAN/AF in Gävle strengthens Semcon's position as the leading training company in the field of IT," declares Hans Krondahl, Managing Director of Semcon's education and training company. Today, WAP and mobile Internet constitutes one of the fastest growing areas of IT; and the rapid development and adaptation of this technology will require a great many skilled staff members." Hans Krondahl recognises the spectacular increase in training needed in this area, and reports that Semcon is the first company to offer specialised WAP training programmed to the market. Gösta Suvinen, Regional Director of Semcon's training activities in Northern Sweden, is pleased that Semcon could get this strategic educational order, and be able to sign a long-term general agreement. "Planning and developing this cutting edge WAP programme has been both challenging and demanding," he explains. "We expect that this project will serve as an important reference that will rapidly increase opportunities for similar training agreements in the near future." This general agreement is the first ever between a county labour board and an educational company in Sweden, concerning a course of this length in this field. We at LAN/AF of Gävle feel that it felt natural to go all the way, and sign with Semcon for this first WAP training programme," declares Kjell Helling at the Labour Exchange in Gävle. "We requested tenders for such a programme this past autumn, but realised that we were too early then. Today, we feel that this is the right time, and that we have found the right company to implement this massive educational project." "This is an important breakthrough that shows that Semcon is at the cutting edge in the WAP field," observes Hans Krondahl. Our plans are now to offer customised WAP training programmes to both the public and private sectors. The rapidly accelerating growth in cellular telephony and Internet will increase the need to invest in training. For further information, please contact: Hans Krondahl, Managing Director, active in the Semcon Competence Development business area. Phone: +46 (0)31 721 05 60, cellular: +46 (0) 706 28 85 55, e-mail: hans.krondahl@semcon.se Gösta Suvinen, Regional Director in the Semcon Competence Development business area. Cellular: +46 (0)703-15 15 25, e-mail: gosta.suvinen@semcon.se Kjell Helling, Labour Exchange in Gävle, +46 (0)26-13 84 58, e-mail: kjell.helling@lanx.amv.se. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/22/20000322BIT00510/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/22/20000322BIT00510/bit0002.pdf