FISHERS, Ind. – Seven Hamilton County high school students earned certificates from the first worldwide standards-based computer training program through an intensive course at Ball State University's Outreach Services Site.

"By completing this training, the students will be able to immediately enter job markets or begin higher education programs," said Stephanie Huffman, Outreach Service Site's director. "The course and the certification gives students the confidence necessary to be part of today's digital world."

The 36-hour course, which laid the groundwork for the global-based Computing Core Certification (IC3), focused on computer hardware, software, networks and the Internet.

The program, which was sponsored by Outreach Services Site, Interlocal Association, Hamilton County WorkOne and Hamilton/Boone/Madison Special Services Co-op, not only helped build confidence, but also boosted the students' resumes, said Becky Branham, Interlocal Association's program director.

"The certification gives a resume-building standard certification as proof of successful completion of the program," she said. "It also provides the foundation necessary to further enhance productivity and marketability with other desktop application-specific certifications."

The students who earned the IC3 certification are: 

• Jessica Crail, Hamilton Heights
• Dennis Depriest, Hamilton Southeastern
• Tim Hawkins, Noblesville High School
• Clay Jackson, Hamilton Southeastern
• Bradley Louks, Hamilton Heights
• Matthew Riedle, Hamilton Heights
• Lynday Wann, Noblesville High School

Along with earning their IC3 certification, each student also earned an Indiana Certificate of Technical Achievement (CTA) for completing computer-related tasks that simulated a real work environment. The CTAs were signed by Gov. Joe Kernan's office, issued by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and validated by local employers.

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Huffman at shuffman@bsu.edu or (317) 913-4560.)