"We're excited about the classes that CompUSA offers -- especially classes like 'Presentation Skills using PowerPoint' and other soft skills classes they offer in addition to the computer training," said Heather Pinto, CIS's on-site training coordinator and member of the selection committee. "We found their flexibility, expertise and add-on options to be above and beyond the other two companies."

Among the services provided by CompUSA are:

• Pre- and post-class assessments, to guarantee students attend the right level of a class and that they have reached the expected level of proficiency at the end of the class (if not, they may retake the class at no charge)
  
• Certification training
  
• Advanced technical training
  
• Web-based training
  
• Computer-based training on disk or CD-ROM
  
• Desk-side support
  
• Executive training (one-on-one training at the person's desk)
  
• Internet/Intranet training
  
• Enhanced Help-Desk solutions (end-user application support and help-desk services)
  
• Customized courseware
  
• Skills assessment (may be very useful for ASD in testing applicants' level of proficiency on different software applications -- as recommended by an ASD committee)
  
• Post-class support (telephone and Internet question and answers)

In addition to the new vendor, the class registration process will also be changing. Effective Wednesday, April 10, class registration will be done via the Employee Self Service website at https://hris.lbl.gov/.

Other organizations which have chosen CompUSA to provide training include the City and County of San Francisco, Contra Costa County, the City of Oakland, Heald College, USS Posco, Charles Schwab, the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Education, and Hills Medical Group.

The Lab's computer training room, currently in Bldg. 51L, will be moved to Bldg. 941 in downtown Berkeley later this year. In addition to presenting classes at the Lab, CompUSA will allow employees to take classes at CompUSA training sites, including Emeryville, San Francisco, Concord, Pleasanton, North Sacramento, Sacramento, Vacaville, San Bruno, Santa Clara and San Jose.