NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Fort Worth, TX, United States, 2006/07/26 - Gatlin Education Services, the leader in online career training, and Walgreen Co., the nation's largest retail pharmacy chain, have partnered to offer a pharmacy technician internship with the online course..

Gatlin Education Services announced today it has reached an agreement with Walgreens that will give students an important leg up in the job market. Walgreens will offer its externship program to students in several Walgreens districts who are taking Gatlin’s pharmacy technician online career training program provided basic qualifications are met.

Gatlin’s nationally recognized pharmacy technician program is available at hundreds of continuing education departments at community colleges and universities across the United States. This blended learning online program teaches the necessary skills to gain employment as a pharmacy technician in a hospital or retail setting. The course aims to provide high school graduates and individuals seeking new careers the skills and knowledge that will enable them to qualify for entry-level positions in pharmacies as well as prepare for the mandated national certification.

Walgreens supplies interns with 80 to 160 hours of hands-on experience that includes assisting pharmacists with prescriptions, answering patient questions about medications and a bevy of administrative duties.

Gatlin and Walgreens initially expect to enroll about a dozen students in the internship program every month, with that number doubling in a year’s time. More than 8,600 individuals have expressed an interested in Gatlin’s pharmacy technician course this year.

“The pharmacy technician program is one of our most popular offerings,” said Stephen Gatlin, founder of Fort Worth-based Gatlin Education Services. “The added benefit of having a valuable internship will continue to put Gatlin students a step ahead in an ultra-competitive job market. The partnership with Walgreens will not only open doors for students, but will also pave the way for similar advantages with our other programs.”

About Gatlin Education Services
Established in 1989 by Stephen Gatlin, Gatlin Education Services is the largest provider of Web-based, instructor-supported training to community colleges and universities. Gatlin’s courses are open enrollment, allowing interested students to start their desired training immediately. Gatlin’s online career training courses are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional caliber positions for many in-demand occupations.

About Walgreen Co.
Walgreen Co. is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2005 sales of $42.2 billion. The company operates more than 5,250 stores in 46 states and Puerto Rico. Walgreens also provides additional services to pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Services, its managed care division, which includes Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefits manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc. and Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.

Agency / Source: S. Bell, Inc. Public Relations

Availability: All Regions (Including Int'l)

Traffic Booster: [/] Quick NewswireToday Visibility Checker

Distribution / Indexing: [+]