SHOPPING THE SCHOOLS.

• Position: High tech training programs - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Wondering how to pick from the plethora a high-tech study programs out there? Protect your investment by doing your homework first.

* Accreditation is key, said Patrick Smid, president of the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau. Is the school accredited and by whom? Does the agency have national stature?

* Looked ahead to the training you'll get. If the school is responding to what's needed today, check the outlook for those skills. Does the school update curricula to follow industry, or will these jobs be filled by the time you graduate?

* If colleges have a comparable curriculum, check the value they offer: How long are their programs? When are they...