IBM-Espana SA and the largest Spanish savings bank, La Caixa, are to open a private technological training centre, the Centro de Formacion y Divulgacion de Tecnologica to complement the former’s existing information technology training division. The centre is also a step towards easing the huge demand for technically qualified people in Spain. The courses, the first of which is to be in applied programming, will cost around $400 a month with a matriculation fee of $800, and students, selected via an aptitude test, will be financed in the form of preferential interest credits from La Caixa to be paid back once the student has finished the course and is working. The first academic year will offer places for 50 students under the age of 25. IBM will provide the computer and other equipment. The initial applied programming course will consist of a range of theoretical and practical course modules, including both basic and applied information technology, communications, and databases, including lessons in IBM’s DB2.
