WASHINGTON, DC - February, 15, 2000 - Engineers, architects, and other design professionals can now update their continuing professional development and increase their productivity using state-of-the-art educational programs available through the newly formed Alliance for the Continuing Education for Engineers (ACE²).

The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that online learning costs one-third less than off-site classroom training and consumes half the time. Consistent with this estimate, users of ACE² programs enjoy the convenience of immediately accessible CD-ROM and web-based training that allows for just-in-time learning - 24 hours a day.

In order to develop and deliver these Internet-based educational programs, two of America's prominent professional engineering societies, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC), have formed an alliance with Virtual Education Corporation (VEC), one of the nation's leading online learning providers. This innovative alliance will serve the engineering, architecture, and design communities by adding a wide variety of new courses to its continuing education library each year. In addition to Internet delivery, the training courses will be available via company intranets and CD-ROM. Professionals can purchase individual courses, and engineering and architectural firms can purchase subscriptions to the ACE² library of continuing education courses.

ACE² launched with 13 online courses, including Business Management Trends, The Ten Commandments of Financial Management, Preemptive Marketing, and Recruiting Stars. The alliance's highly interactive skill-building courses include video and/or audio instruction, animation, graphics, simulations, exercises, and templates and electronic tools to transfer the learning to the workplace. The alliance also produces shorter awareness building courses that bring engineers the latest industry information in short courses that fit easily into their schedules. All courses carry Professional Development Hour (PDH) credits for the maintenance of professional certifications.

The format enables the participants to proceed at their own pace and personalize their learning experience. Performance can be easily measured, reported, and reinforced using VEC's data management systems. Once the course has been mastered, VEC can forward the participant's information to state regulators, the individual society, or the employer, depending upon the participant's or employer's desires.

"Virtual Education Corporation has employed some of the nation's top experts in instructional design, computer technology, and behavioral psychology to create a dynamic learning environment," said VEC President, Andy Smith. "The response by engineers to our interactive learning environment has been phenomenal. Because there is no down time for off-site training with our online courses, professionals love the efficiency online learning offers."

"I have never experienced a learning environment so compelling," said a participant who recently completed a VEC course.

"This alliance will make it easier for our members and the entire engineering community to fulfill their continuing education requirements," explained J. David Waugh, P.E., NSPE President. "Online education is quickly becoming the desired alternative to taking a class at night or during the work day. We are addressing that need."

ACEC President, Leo Peters, said, "Our alliance will change the paradigm in professional development. In particular, engineers in remote locations far from major cities, where most in-classroom courses are offered, should be pleased with the easy access our high quality online curriculum provides. The synergy between ACEC, NSPE, and VEC will create the most effective continuing education program for engineering professionals."

ACE² members will provide direction and oversight in the development of the courses to ensure quality and technical accuracy of course content. VEC, a wholly owned subsidiary of KeepSmart, will develop all of the online courses.