Langley, BC – Five high school students from British Columbia have proven to be the best in Canada in Microsoft Office and will compete at Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship, the most popular technology skills competition on Microsoft Office and the only one endorsed by Microsoft since its inception in 2002.

The accomplishment demonstrates the incredible accomplishments that are coming out of technical education in British Columbia, and Canada. Building a foundational knowledge of Microsoft Office tools will help the students thrive in their future academic and career pursuits.

The winners of the Microsoft Office Specialist Canada National Championship achieved top test scores in: 

• Microsoft Word 2013: Noah Stelting (Surrey Christian School)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2013: Ian Chao (Surrey Christian School)
• Microsoft Excel 2016: Alexander Ratner (Thomas Haney Secondary School)
• Microsoft Word 2016: Karrah Hitchcox (Thomas Haney Secondary School)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2016: Abhiraj Virk (Thomas Haney Secondary School)

The group will move forward with an all-expenses paid trip to represent Canada at the 2017 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in Anaheim, California July 30 – August 2, 2017.Worldwide the World Championship has attracted more than 560,000 unique candidates from 122 countries. This year, Certiport and Microsoft expect over 150 champions to compete from all around the world. Candidates will compete for a chance to win a $7,000 scholarship and the title of “World Champion” in their respective categories.

Malcolm Knox, President and CEO of CCI Learning, is proud of the success at Thomas Haney Secondary School and Surrey Christian School. He adds, “This competition finds the individuals who are able to display the most relevant technology skills for any career in the world right now: Microsoft Office. Employers, college and universities need to take note of this huge movement in education which is not just about STEM or CTE/CTS. These students are simply the most productive individuals on earth, in a world where innovation is the key to business success and growth. Microsoft Office and its ability to transform business and find quicker profits for organization is an innovation tool that has been under our noses for a long time now.”

Visit ccilearning.com for more information. 

CCI LearningSuite # 112, 9440-202nd Street Langley, BC, Canada V1M 4A6 

About CCI Learning

CCI Learning is an education technology company specializing in interactive courseware, certification, software licensing, and educator services. At CCI Learning we take a human-centered approach to learning by focusing on the needs of each individual, offering a variety of learning solutions in productivity, computer science, digital literacy and creative computing. CCI Learning researches and develops award winning courseware for print, electronic and assessment engines that is sold and distributed globally. Founded on this world-leading courseware, CCI Learning has developed Jasperactive, the world’s first kinesthetic Microsoft Office learning and validation system mapped to the Microsoft Office Specialist Global Standard.As a Platinum Certiport Partner and Microsoft Authorized Educational Partner, CCI Learning advances digital literacy, productivity skills and information technology for students, faculty, and staff in academic institutions worldwide by providing globally recognized certifications, learning solutions and educator services.

 For additional information, please contact: 

Jill FolkCCI Learning jfolk@ccilearning.com