"URBAN ENTREPRENEURS" INNER CITY TRAINING PROGRAM CREATES JOBS FOR LOW-INCOME YOUTHS

Program "Graduate" Hired On-the-spot at DCI’s Internet Expo Boston

--August 14, 1997, Hynes Convention Center--

Sacramento, CA¾ In one day, Nnamdi Nwosa came to Boston, received his Webmaster certification, and found a job. Nwosa, of Brooklyn, New York, was among the first of a group of young adults to participate in "Urban Entrepreneurs," an inner-city training program which empowers young adults from low-income areas to be able to take advantage of the high-growth Internet arena. After receiving his certification in Webmaster training during DCI’s Internet Expo (last week at the Hynes Convention Center) he networked among the 300 participating show exhibitors and was hired, on-the-spot, by a locally-based technology company, Siemens Nixdorf, headquartered of Burlington.

The program, which kicked-off this week at DCI’s Internet Expo, is part of a joint effort by the National Association of Webmasters (NAW), a non-profit trade association, CitySoft, a Web development firm, and Net Guru Technologies, Inc., NAW's Internet training and certification partner. Joining Nwosa was Kelby Mendes, 22, of Boston, who also received his Web certification at the show. Mendes is studying Environmental Engineering at night and was introduced to CitySoft by Mel King’s Tent Computer Learning Center in Boston where CitySoft has been training him and others in HTML and Web site development.

"Our mission is to connect a high-growth industry to low-income neighborhoods by providing low-income youths the skills which will enable them to compete for jobs in the fast-growing high-tech industry," said Bill Cullifer, Executive Director of the NAW. "Having Nnamdi Nwosa hired on the spot at DCI’s Internet Expo is testament to the benefits of this program."

"We are extremely impressed with the talents of Nnamdi Nwosa and are pleased to offer him a chance to use his skills through Web site development work at Siemens Nixdorf," said Andreas Meyer Knonow, vice president, Application Software Division, Siemens Nixdorf Americas. "As one of the world’s largest information technology companies, we have a corporate responsibility to promote computer literacy and promote the talents of young entrepreneurs. Afterall, Siemens and Nixdorf were founded by innovative young entrepreneurs. It’s a win-win situation for everyone."

"We were pleased to be the first to host the "Urban Entrepreneurs" program and witness its success first-hand," said Ron Gomes, president, DCI’s Internet Expo. "As one of the leading trade shows focusing on Internet technologies, DCI’s Internet Expo provides the perfect forum for business professionals to network with one another and find out about the latest tools and technologies in the Internet arena."

DCI, located in Andover, Massachusetts, is a world leader in high-technology education, trade shows and management consulting.

About the National Association of Webmasters
The National Association of Webmasters was founded in 1996 by professionals with proven track records in education, data-processing, Internet consulting, telecommunications and marketing. The purpose of the Association is to support and enhance the role of individuals and organizations who create, manage or market Web sites. NAW provides Webmaster certification in conjunction with Net Guru Technologies, Inc., its strategic training partners, as well as educational, technical, employment and member advantage services. The Association is located at 9580 Oak Avenue Parkway, Suite 7-177, Folsom, CA, 95630. Contact them online at www.joinwow.org or by telephone at (916) 608-1597.

About CitySoft
CitySoft was founded by Nick Gleason and Jim Picariello to empower urban entrepreneurs and serve customers in the Internet services industry. Recognizing that information technologies such as the World Wide Web will drive economic growth for the next generation, CitySoft employees residents of technologically isolated and lower-income communities and enables them to access the mainstream information economy. By partnering with skilled designers and programmers, CitySoft can offer its customers the full range of Web services while developing less experienced employees. Contact CitySoft online at www.citysoft.com.

About Siemens Nixdorf
Siemens Nixdorf Information Systems, Inc., with U.S. headquarters in Burlington, Mass., is the U.S. subsidiary of German-based Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG. With operations in 58 countries worldwide, $9.1 billion in revenues and approximately 36,000 employees, it is the largest European computer firm and ranks among the world’s leading information technology suppliers. Siemens Nixdorf is part of the Siemens family of companies, which in the latest fiscal year had $63.5 billion in combined revenues and 379,000 employees in more than 190 countries. Visit Siemens Nixdorf on the Internet at www.sni-usa.com.