Twelve National Applicants Chosen for the VRSII School-to-Work Program

SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- (Marketwire) -- 02/08/12 -- Out of 65 applicants, 12 outstanding American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Education Program (IEP) graduates from across the nation have been chosen to participate in the School-to-Work Program offered by the VRS Interpreting Institute (VRSII), in Salt Lake City. IEP graduates must meet stringent requirements for entry to the program, including a written, pre-entry phase test, videophone interview and performance test.

The VRSII is a world-class training facility that offers continuing education for ASL IEP graduates and IEP educators. The VRSII is the only organization in the United States that offers a program like School-to-Work, which bridges the gap from IEP graduation to work readiness. The School-to-Work Program is an intensive, 12-week interpreting immersion program. Graduates are prepared for ASL interpreting work and to take the performance section of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) National Interpreter Certification (NIC) test and the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).

"The School-to-Work Program offers students benefits that are unavailable elsewhere. Students gain real-life experience by participating in professional interpreting internships and in additional classes to hone their skills. They are immersed in deaf culture and interact extensively with members of the deaf community. Through this association, students leave the program with increased self confidence and are primed to succeed in the professional interpreting field," says Dr. Carolyn Ball, VRSII Executive Director.

Students attending the winter session of the VRSII School-to-Work Program, which began Jan. 4, were chosen from the following colleges:

Bloomsburg University, Chalfont, Pa.
Community College of Baltimore County, Cantonsville, Md.
Des Moines Area Community College, Des Moines, Iowa
Eastern Kentucky University, Lexington, Ky.
Georgia Perimeter College, Clarkson, Ga.
Northern Essex College, Needham, Mass.
Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.
St. Paul College, St. Paul, Minn.
Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah

Those selected to attend the program receive round-trip airfare to Salt Lake City, on-site housing and transportation for the length of the program, a per diem stipend for food and fees paid to take the NIC Interview and Performance test. Program graduates can choose to transfer an equivalent of 14 college credits toward their bachelors or masters degree through the University of Arizona (or other participating universities, at the schools discretion) or receive an advanced interpreting certificate.

The deadline to apply for the summer School-to-Work Program session is March 2, 2012. More information can be found by visiting www.vrsii.com/training.

About the VRS Interpreting Institute
The Video Relay Service Interpreting Institute (VRSII) is a world-class training facility dedicated to lifelong interpreter training and mentoring of all entry-level, qualified and professional interpreters. The mission of the VRSII is to provide innovative educational experiences that empower interpreter educators to achieve professional excellence. The VRSII was established by Sorenson Communications in March 2009 and is located in Salt Lake City.