New York, NY/Atlanta, GA, January 14, 2002 -- In a move that expands its reach into more major markets, Kaplan, Inc. has acquired the assets of three providers of specialized vocational training: Texas Careers in Texas, Thompson Institute in Pennsylvania, and Technology Education College in Ohio. These schools are now part of Kaplan’s higher education division, which includes the Quest system of vocational schools. Quest is a leading provider of vocational education, and following these acquisitions operates 41 schools in 13 states, offering associates and bachelors degrees as well as diploma programs to help students qualify for entry-level employment.
“Since Quest was acquired by Kaplan in 2000, we have continued to acquire schools that have high quality programs in markets where we can meet the needs of local students. Our goal is to provide vocational courses that enable our students to expand their career opportunities," said Gary Kerber, president and chief executive officer of Quest. "Kaplan’s acquisitions of Texas Careers, Thompson Institute and Technology Education College will enable us to share best practices, curriculum and technology."
Founded in 1989, Texas Careers offers diploma programs in Vocational Nursing, Medical Assistant, Nurse Aide, Paralegal, Secretary/ Administrative Assistant, and Medical Office Specialist at locations in San Antonio, Laredo and Beaumont, Texas. Thompson Institute, founded in 1918, offers diploma and associate degree programs in Medical Assistant, Information Technology, and Business in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Technology Education College, founded in 1965, offers diploma and associate degree programs in IT, Business, Medical Assistant, and Computer Assisted Drafting to students in the Columbus, Ohio area. All of these schools combined currently serve more than 2,400 students.
The Texas Careers schools are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of The Council on Occupational Education; Thompson Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges & Schools; and Technology Education College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
Pending regulatory approval of the course, Kaplan intends to migrate Texas Careers’ Vocational Nursing program to Quest’s other Texas schools. In addition, Kaplan plans to offer a number of its proven higher education core programs in Information Technology at the Texas Careers schools.
For more information about the schools, please visit www.questeducation.com, www.texascareers.com, www.thompsoninstitute.org, and www.teccollege.com.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Quest serves 17,000 students at its 41 schools located in 13 states. The schools offer bachelor degrees, associate degrees, and diploma programs designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to qualify them for entry-level employment, primarily in the fields of health care, business, and information technology. Its programs cover ten of the 15 fastest growing occupations (measured by percentage growth from 1994 through 2005), as projected by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Quest is a unit of Kaplan, Inc. (www.kaplan.com), a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools, and businesses. Kaplan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO).