About TRiP Program
"TRiP" was launched in January 1998 as an innovative response to the acute demand for qualified employees in Northern Virginia's information technology (IT) sector. "TRiP" is intended for professionals from other fields who want to transition into IT. The program produces entry-level IT professionals with diverse functional knowledge.

What is" TRiP"?
The Premise:
"TRiP" is based on the premise that individuals with an aptitude for technology can quickly learn computer skills. Equipped with these skills, individuals can leverage past work experience and academic training toward their new IT careers. The program:

		Offers an intensive part-time curriculum that teaches broad-based computer skills and develops advanced technical expertise.
		Combines classroom instruction with practical work experience through optional, hands-on internship in the IT departments of local businesses.

Overview Memo from the Program Manager:

The "TRiP" program is a pay-as-you-go IT training program. You schedule your own classes. 168 class hours are required to complete "TRiP," of which 60 are required (CORE courses) & are given on Saturdays. The remainder (108 hours) are Electives that are given in evenings (Mon/Wed & Tues/Thurs). The electives allow you to do some specialization (programming; web design; network administrator, etc). This arrangement allows you to take the "TRiP" program while you are still working.

We recommend new students start with "Network Essentials," a 101 type class that introduces and updates you on the essentials of IT. It is also a class that will help you decide if "TRiP" is the right program for you.

We begin the "Networking Essentials" at the beginning of each semester. The next "Networking Essentials" class will be offered on Saturday, September 13, 2008.

When students are about 3/4 of the way through the program, we work with them on internship placements (resume preparation; interviewing skills - including your "2-minute elevator talk;" and assistance with internship placements).  While internships are not guaranteed, the placement success rate is high and most internships are paid $10-$20/hour.

When completed, the "TRiP" student is eligible to enter the IT field at the entry level as a Help Desk Network Administrator.

Realistically, the program will take you one year to complete and will cost $4,000.

We hope to see you at the September 3, 2008, Free "TRiP" Open House whereby you can review the curriculum, talk with "TRiP" instructors, and chat with "TRiP" graduates.

Many thanks for your interest in the program.

Bill Forster
Program Manager, Business & Industry
Department of Continuing Education/Workforce Development
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale Campus, Annandale, Virginia 22003
wforster@nvcc.edu, (703) 323-3447

The Curriculum:
The "TRiP" curriculum was developed, and is periodically revised, in consultation with corporate sponsors.

The Corporate Sponsors:
Corporate participants include a full representation of the Northern Virginia/Metro Washington, DC region's finest employers, ranging from technology companies, to hospitals and law firms, to large corporations offering diverse services and products. Among the companies which have sponsored TRiP internships in the past are: America Online, Dynamic Technology Systems, Inc, Computer Sciences Corporation, Washington Gas, Blue Ridge Networks, As-One Inc., Active Matter, Keyware Solutions, Fairfax County Public Library, National Society of Black Engineers, INOVA Hospitals, Fairfax County Water Authority, Human Genome, the Town of Vienna, Integic, the Humane Society, and Northern Virginia Community College. The cross section of employers varies with each class.

The Results:
Many TRiP interns are hired by sponsoring companies upon completion of the training. Additionally, the graduates' established work ethic and leadership skills from real-world experience, combined with their newly acquired technical skills, make them productive and cost-effective IT employees.