Prodigy's Partner Certiport announced it has been selected as the launch partner by Microsoft® Learning to develop and deliver a new global certification program for business professionals worldwide that focuses on validating business-critical skills. The new Microsoft Business Certification programme for the 2007 Microsoft Office system and Windows® Vista operating systems will feature Web-based pretests, application-specific certification exams and a series of professional certifications that demonstrate expertise in accomplishing essential job tasks across multiple applications.

"I am delighted to bring these new credentials to our customers," said Lutz Ziob, general manager of Microsoft Learning. "Mastery of the core business information tools and business processes is fast becoming a key differentiator, and now businesses have a clear yardstick to assess desktop proficiency for their non-IT staff."

"As innovative businesses around the world are already learning, the new frontier in fostering competitiveness lies in developing the skills of information workers," said David Saedi, president and CEO of Certiport. "This new array of business certifications will propel organisations to greater success as information workers become better equipped to achieve optimum business results."

Part of the new generation of Microsoft certifications, the business certifications will give users the opportunity to certify their skills on new Microsoft technologies and receive a credential logo that identifies them as experts. Compared to the Microsoft Office Specialist program, the customer base and business application of the new Microsoft business certification program will be much broader.

For more information on the Microsoft Business Certification click here or contact Kevin Ryan on +353 1 2360424 or email kevin.ryan@prodigy.ie