From the Unemployment Line to a Career Path; Unique Public/Private Partnership Provides Valuable Training and Prevents Export of IT Service Jobs

Feb 27, 2006 Holbrook, NY – Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy recently saluted the graduates of an innovative program that trains unemployed individuals and students enrolled in cooperative and vocational programs in Information Technology (IT) – and provides an alternative to companies that would otherwise outsource IT jobs overseas.

Insource America, which graduated six students on February 21 and has already begun a new training class for 15, recruits individuals from a variety of government assistance programs and vocational programs, and teaches them the skills needed for certification in IT Help Desk support.

Participants in the program, a partnership between the Holbrook-based Future Tech Enterprise, Inc., and the Suffolk County Department of Labor, go through an eight-week training program before embarking on a six-month stint working live at the Future Tech Help Desk gaining real-life experience working with Fortune 1000 companies.

"Insource America is a prime example of the type of innovations smart government can produce in partnering with the private sector," said Levy, who first announced the public/private partnership in his 2005 State of the County address. "Linking clients from the county Labor Department to this unique opportunity provides participants with invaluable skills and career opportunities while preventing the export of IT service jobs that so many companies are filling with overseas personnel."

Training for Insource America enrollees is provided free of charge with all expenses, including a full-time instructor and the construction of a $2 million Solution Center where the training takes place, underwritten by Future Tech President and CEO Bob Venero.

"My hope for this innovative program is to positively impact our out-of-work community while inspiring other companies not only to work hard to make a difference but to work smart and keep the jobs here in the United States," Venero said. "There is nothing more powerful than the drive of an individual who wants to succeed."

The six-month Help Desk experience allows graduates to enter the workforce not only with technical certification but with real world experience that is crucial for those wishing to break into the IT field. Future Tech Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations, Shannon Mallozzi, said Insource America has a 75% job placement rate among participants.

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Suffolk County Government