ACE Mentor and Bentley Put Free CAD Software in Hands of High School Students

ACE Students Can Now Link to Free Download of MicroStation PowerDraft

STAMFORD, Conn., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The ACE Mentor Program of America announced today a partnership with Bentley Systems, Incorporated that gives high school students easy access to free CAD software. The ACE Mentor Program is a nonprofit organization dedicated to high school educational outreach in architecture, construction, and engineering. The program has added a link on its Web site to the free download of MicroStation PowerDraft CAD software offered at http://www.be.org/ through Bentley's BE Careers Network.

The link gives students enrolled in the ACE Mentor Program instant access to MicroStation PowerDraft, an 18-week curriculum, and a student guide. MicroStation PowerDraft is a professional-level application used for production 2D/3D drafting and detailing in architecture, engineering, and construction. It features an easy-to-use graphical user interface, intuitive viewing techniques, and an innovative set of industry-recognized tools for production work.

"The partnership with Bentley will enable and empower our high school students to use one of the most advanced engineering drafting tools available to the industry," said Pamela R. Mullender, executive director of the ACE Mentor Program. "Our goal is to introduce students to architecture, construction, and engineering -- the three pillars of the industry's professions -- and to better equip them for success in pursuing a career after completing college. This program is another step toward that goal."

About BE Careers Network

The mission of the BE Careers Network is to help engineering and architecture students graduate with market-ready technology skills. It accomplishes this by providing programs for students, teachers, and schools; free and discounted software, training, and curriculum counseling; and award programs.

Through BE Careers Network, more than 30,000 students representing the future of engineering have become empowered by MicroStation PowerDraft software. In addition, roughly 900 schools around the world have obtained Academic Subscriptions through the program. 

www.becareers.org

About Bentley

Bentley Systems, Incorporated provides software for the lifecycle of the world's infrastructure. The company's comprehensive portfolio for the building, plant, civil, and geospatial verticals spans architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and operations. With 2004 revenues exceeding $300 million, Bentley is the leading provider of AEC software to the Engineering News-Record Design 500 and major owner-operators.

About ACE Mentor Program of America

The ACE Mentor Program of America is a 501(c)3 corporation founded in 1995 as an innovative way of attracting students, particularly minorities, women and the less privileged, into the architecture, construction and engineering professions. The program relies on mentors -- professionals from leading design and construction firms -- to volunteer their time and energy to introduce students to a broad range of people, projects and career possibilities within the construction industry. 

www.acementor.org

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