The Capital Area Training Foundation has announced today that it has changed its name to Skillpoint Alliance as of March 22, 2005. The process to rename the organization was guided by Dave Wenger of I.D. University and graphic designer Andreas Passens of Beachhouse Design and Communication. A tagline designed to accompany the new name reads "where community, education and business connect."

"The campaign aims to tell youth and adults that $3 billion in college aid funds is available yearly to Texans," said Kirk Watson, Chairman of the Greater Austin Chamber. "Education holds our greatest promise for insuring a vital community with success for each and every citizen."

"This name change better reflects our new emphasis on promoting college and career success for all Central Texans. "By leveraging the efforts of industry, education and the community around this challenge, we can provide meaningful opportunities that will help students of all ages achieve their career aspirations," says Skillpoint Alliance Board Chair Allyson Peerman, Global Community Affairs Director of AMD.

The diverse programs of Skillpoint Alliance include industry clusters in the Semiconductor, Healthcare and IT/Digital Media arenas. Other services include free computer training, free construction training, industry-led professional development services for area teachers and an annual College & Career Fair for high school students. Each program provides an opportunity or "skillpoint" for participants to ascend to the next level of their education or career path.

Maintaining a highly qualified workforce in the Greater Austin region is a goal of Opportunity Austin, the five-year, five-county economic development initiative that aims at creating 72,000 new jobs and a $14 billion boost to the economy.

Skillpoint Alliance, which changed its name this year from Capital Area Training Foundation, is a non-profit organization that builds relationships between industry, education, and communities that lead to college and career success for Central Texans.

"In order for the Central Texas region to attract and retain good jobs, provide opportunities for growth and advancement for its' citizens we must ensure education and training is accessible to all," said Hannah Gourgey, Interim Executive Director of Skillpoint Alliance. "The Alliance will lead the way in "Closing the Gaps" and improving college and career success for youth and adults in Central Texas. In partnership with major funders including the Greater Austin Chamber, City of Austin, Dell Foundation, Semiconductor Executive Council, Seton Healthcare Network, St. David's Healthcare Partnership, Travis County and WorkSource we will provide the workforce foundation to lead employers to profitability and productivity."

Contact Hannah Gourgey, Interim Executive Director at hgourgey@skill-point.org or 323-6773 x 117. Visit www.skill-point.org.