Business Editors/Education Writers

NAPERVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2004

NETg Open Learning Now Includes Comprehensive, Interactive Courses

That Are the Only Official e-Learning Offering Designed for the

Industry-Standard CTP Exam

NETg, a part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE:TOC); (TSX:TOC), in partnership with ProsoftTraining, today announced the expansion of its Open Learning offering to include the only official e-Learning curriculum that prepares individuals for Convergence Technologies Professional (CTP) certification. CTP is the world's leading vendor-neutral convergence technologies certification that validates that an individual has the core knowledge and skills that are required to sell, install and maintain products from the leading manufacturers and suppliers in convergence technologies.

Thomson NETg combines comprehensive resources of its innovative Open Learning -- high-quality e-Learning and e-Reference libraries, innovative delivery technologies, and strategic consulting services -- with CTP certification training to help telecommunications companies achieve their most critical business objectives, including better product knowledge, improved customer service and deeper industry expertise.

"Many of the world's leading telecommunications companies who already rely on Thomson NETg to deliver comprehensive employee training and development programs, including business and professional development and IT and desktop software training, and can now ensure their people are industry certified," said Joe Dougherty, president of Thomson NETg. "As always, we are committed to delivering success through learning, and strive to ensure an engaging learning experience that results in genuine business performance improvements. Providing these important targeted CTP courses is another way for us to honor that commitment."

CTP certification was created by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) to confirm the vendor-neutral convergence skills that are required by manufacturers, channel partners and end-users to implement convergence technologies solutions in the following data networking, telephony networking and convergence technology areas: industry standards and protocols, infrastructure, IP protocol suite, telephony concepts and fundamentals, Voice over IP (VoIP) convergence, topology convergence and troubleshooting. The certification targets job roles such as field technicians, voice and telephony technicians, network administrators, system engineers, sales engineers and other individuals interested in pursuing or advancing a convergence technologies career.

"Our association members have clearly stated that CTP serves as both a valuable bridge over the convergence skills gap and a prerequisite to many product certifications," said Matthew J. Flanigan, president of TIA. "By integrating the e-Learning alternative into their training programs, members can offer a more flexible training package to their constituents."

The exclusive five-course CTP curriculum provides interactive e-Learning and pre- and post-assessments endorsed by the TIA. The courses are:

-- CTP Data Networking Part 1: Data Networking Fundamentals --

Gives an overview of networks and the Internet and coverage of

networking operations.

-- CTP Data Networking Part 2: Building Networks -- Teaches the

components and strategies required to build successful

networks.

-- CTP Telephony Networking Part 1: Telephony Essentials and

Practices -- Covers standard circuit-switching networks.

-- CTP Telephony Networking Part 2: Telephony Signaling and

Maintenance -- Covers telephony signaling and maintenance, as

well as telephony integration and troubleshooting.

-- CTP Convergence Technologies Implementation -- Introduces the

learner to industry standards and protocols, Voice over IP

convergence and topology convergence.

"We are excited about the ability to provide e-Learning to the industry to meet its ever-growing demand for convergence certification," said Orrin Broberg, vice president of business development for ProsoftTraining. "Our partners, such as Avaya, Mitel, Cisco, Inter-Tel, Nortel Networks and Toshiba, all have indicated demand for an online solution, and want the opportunity to offer blended learning solutions to their partners, resellers and employees. We have worked with Thomson NETg to make this a world-class learning experience."

Thomson NETg is hosting the free Web-based seminar "Telecommunications and Certification: What Do Your People Know?" on Wednesday, February 11, 2004, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., CST. Attendees will get a detailed explanation and summary of the CTP certification program.

About ProsoftTraining

ProsoftTraining (Nasdaq:POSO) offers content and certifications to enable individuals to develop and validate critical Information and Communications Technology (ICT) workforce skills. Prosoft is a leader in the workforce development arena, working with state and local governments and school districts to provide ICT education solutions for high school and community college students. Prosoft has created and distributes a complete library of classroom and e-Learning courses. Prosoft distributes its content through its ComputerPREP division to individuals, schools, colleges, commercial training centers and corporations worldwide. Prosoft owns the CIW job-role certification program for Internet technologies and the CCNT (Certified in Convergent Network Technologies) certification, and manages the CTP (Convergence Technologies Professional) vendor-neutral certification for telecommunications. To find out more, visit www.ProsoftTraining.com, www.ComputerPREP.com, www.CIWcertified.com and www.CTPcertified.com.

About Telecommunications Industry Association

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is the leading trade organization serving the communications and IT industry, with proven strengths in standards development, domestic and international public policy, and trade shows. Through its worldwide activities, TIA facilitates business development opportunities and a competitive market environment. The association provides a forum for its member companies, the manufacturers and suppliers of products and services used in global communications. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Visit TIA at www.tiaonline.org.

About The Thomson Corporation and Thomson NETg

The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2002 revenues from continuing operations of $7.5 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 43,000 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE:TOC); (TSX:TOC). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning.

Thomson NETg (www.netg.com) is a global leader providing Open Learning Solutions with a comprehensive offering of award-winning content, multiple delivery options, cutting-edge technology and expert consulting services. NETg delivers Success through Learning by offering a fully integrated solution that can include e-Learning courseware, e-Reference materials, books, online books and instructor-led training manuals, hosted learning, NETgLearning.com, and Wave accelerated IT Boot Camps and self-study kits, as well as an online executive education and e-MBA program. After more than 30 years, NETg continues to be the learning and professional development partner of choice for innovative global organizations worldwide.