FISHER/UNITECH is Named Michigan Proprietary School by Department of Labor and Economic Growth

Displaced Workers and Other Eligible Candidates Can Take Advantage of State-Funded 3D CAD Software and Training Programs through MichiganWorks! Programs

Troy, MI (October 5, 2009) – FISHER/UNITECH announced today its status as a Michigan Proprietary School, licensed by the Department of Labor and Economic Growth. This new status will allow the company to provide 3D mechanical design software and training to displaced engineers and other eligible workers. Schools in Michigan that teach a trade, occupation or vocation, usually to individuals beyond the high school level, are required to be licensed by State law. To that end, the state created the designation “Michigan Proprietary School.” Having completed a thorough evaluation process, FISHER/UNITECH’s education centers in Grand Rapids and Troy were granted this status.

FISHER/UNITECH offers individuals looking to enhance their current skill set or learn a new technology the tools to do so with no out-of-pocket expenses when authorized by their local MichiganWorks! agency office. MichiganWorks! offices serve as the one-stop service centers of Michigan’s Workforce Investment Board. These service centers distribute funds made available from federal programs such as the Workforce Investment Act and the Trade Adjustment and Assistance Act. Candidates who qualify to receive MichiganWorks! benefits may now take training at FISHER/UNITECH that is funded by these programs. Candidates must visit their local Michigan Works! Agency (MWA) to determine eligibility. Candidates may qualify if they are unemployed, have received a termination or layoff notice, or are employed with a combined family income of less than $40,000 per year. There are over 25 MWA’s covering every county in Michigan. Visit the Michigan Works! Association website for a list of offices at http://www.michiganworks.org. Qualified applicants can receive up to $6,000 to apply towards continuing education and training.

FISHER/UNITECH is the only reseller in the state authorized to provide SolidWorks 3D CAD software and training funded by MichiganWorks! The company’s training curriculum includes 27 SolidWorks, Simulation, Collaboration, and Product Data Management courses that can be taken online or in one of two branch locations in Troy, or Grand Rapids, Michigan. FISHER/UNITECH has developed four comprehensive software and training bundles to facilitate the skill enhancement of displaced designers and engineers. Admission requirements for each bundle include practical work experience and experience with the Microsoft WindowsTM operating system. Specifics on each bundle can be obtained through any MichiganWorks! office or from a FISHER/UNITECH branch office.

“Our appointment as a Michigan Proprietary School enables us to enhance our ability to assist displaced engineers in this community,” said Charles Hess, president of FISHER/UNITECH. “Coupled with our No Engineer Left Behind Virtual Job Fair, we hope to have a very positive impact on the prospects for re-employment of engineers in this area.”

More information on this announcement can be found at the company’s website or at the Virtual Job Fair for Engineers at http://funtech.veplatform.com

About FISHER/UNITECH (www.funtech.com)
FISHER/UNITECH, established in 1993, provides Product Lifecycle Management solutions to discrete manufacturing companies. The company's focus is on process improvement for product development. Process improvement is obtained through the integration of advanced software solutions to replace legacy systems. The applications include CAID, CAD, CAM, CAE, PDM, KBE, Reverse Engineering and Rapid Prototyping. Professional services are offered for design automation and data management which provides customers with a full service, one-stop source for complex PLM systems. The company offers advanced web-based delivery of education programs with its interactive, instructor-led 3DU. Please visit the company's website at (http://www.funtech.com) or call 800-816-8314.

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