11/28/2001 -- ProsoftTraining.com has handed over the development of its Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) certification exams to National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET), an IT education organization that develops IT skills standards.

Effective immediately, NWCET, through Prosoft's CIW Certification Council, will be responsible for setting the objectives for each CIW exam. And according to a press release, "Beginning with CIW version 5, scheduled for release in 2002, NWCET will take responsibility for the Council, including broadening its membership with representatives from non-IT employers, computer equipment manufacturers, software developers, academic institutions and IT consulting firms." Prosoft will continue to act as program manager for CIW and will develop and distribute Official CIW content.

Of the change, Neil Evans, executive director of NWCET, said in a printed statement, "Providing leadership for CIW allows the Center to apply its research and expertise in IT job roles to a practical program benefiting individuals and employers."

"NWCET already provides a neutral forum for business, educators and government to agree on IT job roles and skills standards," said Jerry Baird, chairman and CEO of Prosoft. "From this perspective, [NWCERT] make sure all CIW stakeholders have a voice in the future direction and content of the program."

In other CIW news, Prosoft also announced that it will be releasing version 5 CIW exams as early as January. No word was given on when the current exams (version 4) will be retired or what changes those updates will entail.

For more information on the CIW program, click here. For more about NWCET, click here. -B.N.