NexTech Buys PC Skills, Expands Headquarters

Long Island Business News
By: Michael Conroy
01/26/01

HAUPPAUGE - NexTech Training Solutions, a nascent provider of IT training, has once again expanded its territory by entering into an agreement to purchase one of its competitors, Hicksville- based PC Skills Unlimited.

The purchase price was not disclosed.

"We are on a continued search to acquire companies that fit our mold," said Russell Izzo, CEO and president of NexTech. "PC Skills Unlimited has what we are looking for in our expansion process."

Despite cutbacks of IT personnel at many of the Island's failing dot-coms, the need for "skilled" IT workers on Long Island remains, according to most industry experts.

Izzo said the PC Skills Unlimited name will remain, becoming a division of 20-month-old NexTech.

Aleana Carillo, founder of the firm, has been named as NexTech's compliance officer. The eight employees of her company were hired by NexTech, which expects to add an additional 25 people.

"We expect to increase the company's revenues 100 percent in the next few months," Izzo said.

NexTech nearly tripled its headquarter's size by adding another 10,000 square feet in November and an additional 5,000 feet this past week, allowing it to boost its classroom count from eight, Izzo said.

In November, the certified high-tech trainer for Microsoft, Novell and Cisco Systems leased two classrooms at Dowling College, three at St. John's University and one each at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and SUNY Farmingdale.

Izzo added that the company is in negotiations to expand into other undisclosed educational outlets to bring NexTech into a total of 25 locations by spring.

"We will have locations throughout Long Island, New York City, Staten Island and even a location in Virginia," Izzo said.

Hauppauge-based NexTech and local competitors including NuHorizons, Catapult and Learning Tree International are all benefiting from an ever-more apparent need for computer systems-trained workers in the area.

Generally, each class holds 12 students who study for periods ranging from one week to six months, depending upon the level of training.

On the low end, a 60-hour certification course costs as little as $49.95. On the high end, a six-month course to become a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer costs $12,600.

NexTech currently employees 48 people and plans to add 60 more by year's end, with more than 90 of the total on Long Island. In February, Izzo closed on a $2.5 million private placement pegged for building new training centers on Long Island and in Manhattan. That was arranged by Cal Kleiman, president of the Hauppauge- based financing firm Equity Transfers and the law firm of Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Schlissel. Kleiman is also NexTech's chairman. Izzo said the company is searching for additional funding for future acquisitions. "One of the ongoing complaints is the lack of well trained workers in the high tech sector," said Peter Goldsmith, chairman of the Long Island Software and Technology network. "Companies such as NexTech, Briarcliff College and others help supply well trained workers. "Many people don't realize there are high paying jobs out there that in just a short time could be obtainable. These types of training centers are able to take people with low paying jobs, train them, and match them with companies who are paying very well."

LISTnet is working with the Urban League to help attract more minorities and working with the LI Center for Business & Professional Women to introduce more women into the technology world. Goldsmith said that having local IT training firms is crucial to expanding the minority and female workforce in the industry.