DENVER, April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning (NACTEL) recently launched www.VIVIDFuture.org, a career website built to arm incumbent telecom workers and job seekers with useful industry information, telecom-specific education options, and tools to match and connect them to telecom job opportunities.

VIVIDFuture.org breaks the standard job-board mold by providing job seekers with information on the education and skills they need to land a job and build a career in telecom. The site features a job-matching tool that links people to jobs based on their skills, knowledge and interests. Detailed job descriptions display required education levels, salary ranges and responsibilities; many also include day-in-the-life stories. VIVIDFuture.org's career mapping tool illustrates common career paths, showing job seekers where they might progress with the right credentials.

Telecom career opportunities are being created as tens of thousands of current workers retire, and VIVIDFuture.org plays a critical role in matching qualified job seekers with employers who have open positions.

"Our industry depends on highly skilled workers," said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer. "And VIVIDFuture.org is a great training and educational resource for new telecom job-seekers as well as those wanting to grow within the industry."

The VIVIDFuture website lists more than 300 education and training programs with telecom-specific technical, sales and service and operations support programs. Created by NACTEL with a $1 million contribution from AT&T, the website contains the most current and accurate telecom-specific information available. In addition to AT&T, other telecom employers, such as CenturyLink, Verizon, Frontier and Qwest, along with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), lent their support by providing critical content for the site.

"Our members are continually searching for education that will prepare them for new directions in telecommunications," said Larry Cohen, president of the Communications Workers of America. "The fact that VIVIDFuture houses education resources and lists open telecom jobs makes it a most valuable asset for our industry and for those seeking to enter or advance in this dynamic field."

The funding for the development of VIVIDFuture.org was provided as part of AT&T Aspire. Launched in 2008, AT&T Aspire is one of the largest-ever corporate commitments to address high school success and workforce readiness.

About NACTEL

A unique partnership between major telecommunications companies and labor unions, the National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning (www.nactel.org) partners with higher-education to develop, sponsor, and promote online learning programs to help the telecommunications industry meet its workforce needs. Representing over one-million industry workers, NACTEL partners include AT&T, the Communications Workers of America (CWA), CenturyLink, Frontier Communications, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Qwest and Verizon. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) serves as fiscal agent and program manager for NACTEL.

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About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

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About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2010, more than $148.2 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.