Thursday, August 10, 2006

Online career training courses, Gatlin Education Services on the rise

FORT WORTH, Texas – If convenience is at a premium and time equals money, then it’s a safe bet that online career instruction will continue to grow in popularity. At the forefront of the burgeoning e-learning industry is Gatlin Education Services, the world’s largest provider of Web-based, instructor-supported workforce development training to community colleges and universities.

Distance education is quickly becoming the preferred educational tool of employers and the workforce, as evidenced by Gatlin’s enrollment figures with partner institutions increasing by 100 percent in the last year.

There are several contributing factors in this trend, including the continual rise of gas prices, the acceptance of online instruction as a viable educational option, the convenience of self-paced courses and school budget cuts that eliminate the on-campus versions of online career training courses.

“Between juggling a job, a home, a family and a social life, attending an on-campus class can become almost impossible,” said Stephen Gatlin, founder of Gatlin Education Services. “With online career training, you will have the ability to pick the kids up from school, cook dinner, take the course from your laptop computer, and still catch your favorite TV show without feeling like you just ran a marathon. It’s the way of the future, and Gatlin will continue to be an innovator and leader in the industry.”

Gatlin’s online career training and continuing education courses are designed to provide the workforce with the necessary skills to attain and advance in professional positions in many high-interest occupations. Gatlin offers more than 60 online certificate programs in the healthcare; business; automotive / construction technology; Networking and CompTIA™; Internet, design and technical; Microsoft™ Certification; and video game design and development industries. The Fort Worth, Texas-based company has strategic partnerships with more than 480 institutions of higher learning to offer these courses.

Gatlin programs blend various types of instruction in a unique format that provides logical, comprehensive and effective education. The typical course combines online instructional content, traditional textbook material and instructor-facilitated lessons. Though the courses are self-paced, personal instructors are available to guide every student. This blended learning differentiates Gatlin courses from ordinary online courses.

Each course is open enrollment, self-paced and takes an average of 90 days to complete. The courses are intended to help individuals at any stage of their career, whether they are interested in switching career paths, obtaining advanced training and certificates, or a first-time job seeker in need of specialized training.

Established in 1989 by Stephen Gatlin, Gatlin Education Services is the largest provider of Web-based, instructor-supported training to community colleges and universities. Gatlin’s courses are open enrollment, allowing interested students to start their desired training immediately. Gatlin’s online career training courses are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional caliber positions for many in-demand occupations.

No comments: