Adecco Leverages "Microsoft's Skills2000" Initiative; Program To Address Workforce Shortage In...

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 23, 1998--Adecco announced today a first-of-its-kind deal whereby Adecco's technical division, Adecco/TAD Technical, is recruiting candidates to be trained for positions in the information technology (IT) industry. The effort marks Adecco's commitment

The pairing of Adecco/TAD Technical's extensive recruiting capabilities with Microsoft Certified Technical Education Centers is expected to create an increase in the number of entrants into the quickly-growing IT industry. A recent study by the Information Technology Association of America reveals 346,000 IT jobs are currently vacant in U.S. The U.S. Commerce Department's Office of Technology Policy reports between 1996 and 2006, America will require more than 1.3 million new systems analysts, computer scientists, engineers, and programmers.

Candidates who enter the training program will benefit from funding through Adecco/TAD Technical and/or Microsoft Skills 2000 Career Loan. Adecco/TAD Technical offers tuition reimbursement (50 percent of training costs, up to $500 per course) to its temporary associates after they complete the course and work 500 hours as a temporary associate. The Microsoft Skills 2000 IT Career Loan, a low-interest rate loan, is made available to technical trainees through Servus Financial Corp.

Adecco has begun recruiting its temporary associates for the training program on a pilot basis, and feedback from Adecco client companies has been positive. Dave Sakara of AT&T Wireless said, "Since training, the biggest effect I have noticed on our temporary employee is his increased comfort and proficiency level with numerous Microsoft software programs." And according to another manager at a major PC manufacturer, "The Microsoft Skills 2000 initiative gave us the opportunity to increase our contractors' skill set."

According to Debbie Pond-Heide, president of Adecco North America, "Microsoft Skills 2000 is the most innovative program in the IT industry I have ever seen. The shortage of IT workers is an issue that has a profound effect on the employment industry as well as the high tech sector. We are very excited to join Microsoft in their effort to bring new individuals into the IT industry."

Adecco is using numerous recruiting techniques to promote IT training including flyers in temporary associates' paychecks, videos, Internet websites, job fairs, direct mail campaigns, marketing collateral, telemarketing, open houses at Adecco's 800 U.S. branches, and Adecco's new Job Shop recruiting kiosks. Job Shop is a touch-screen kiosk that gives job seekers ATM-like convenience to available jobs in their area. Adecco is installing Job Shop kiosks in malls and universities throughout the country. These innovative recruiting tools now serve the dual purpose of attracting people looking for a job, and those who are interested in IT training, and then provides the next level of service -- placement into a technical position.

"The high tech recruiting power of Adecco is the perfect match for Microsoft Skills 2000's initiative to recruit and develop new talent into the IT industry," said Nancy Lewis, general manager, training and certification programs, Microsoft Corp. "The company's broad reach will give people at home, in the office, and now even at the mall greater access to information about job opportunities in the high-tech industry."

According to Peter Pfister, CEO of Adecco North America, "To fill IT jobs in the U.S. over the next 10 years, it is imperative for businesses to partner in the effort to develop candidates for these positions. Adecco's recruiting expertise paired with the training expertise of Microsoft's Certified Technical Education Centers will bring thousands of people into the IT industry. This will enable America to capitalize this high-growth industry."

Adecco is the world's largest employment services firm, providing temporary and full-time staffing support, as well as human resources consultancy from its 3,000 branch offices in 48 countries around the world. The company became the world employment leader in 1996 with the merging of Adia SA, a Swiss firm, and Ecco a France-based company.

Adecco/TAD Technical is a U.S. division of Adecco, formed by the 1997 Adecco acquisition of TAD Resources International.