Indianapolis - Apr 19, 2009- The Society of Broadcast Engineers will step up its educational program for members, following action by the Society's board of directors at its meeting at the 2009 NAB Show. The Board approved a plan that calls for the Society's education programs to triple by the end of 2012. The Society will add a full-time education director position to its national staff in Indianapolis to help facilitate the growth. The additional staff person will work with the Society's volunteer Education Committee to expand the Society's existing educational offerings into a comprehensive program geared towards working broadcast engineers and technicians. Courses and seminars will be offered online, as live or recorded webinars and in traditional in-person settings, with topics offered from basic to advanced levels.

One of the immediate targets of the effort will be to expand on the Society's SBE University, which opened on Jan. 1, 2009. The SBE University now includes four courses that are available online and on-demand. Participants may access the courses 24/7/365. The Society plans to have as many as 18 different SBE University courses available by 2012.

"The SBE has always been about education, since its founding in 1964. Our members and the industry have told us that they need more opportunities for continuing education to keep up with changing technology," said SBE President Barry Thomas, CPBE CBNT.