Out of work but looking to stay in the industry? Take a look atan unprecedented offering from The American Institute for CPCU andInsurance Institute of America (the Institutes), which promises toincrease your professional development and cachet to potentialhirers -- at half the cost.

The Institutes is billing the program as its own personal"stimulus plan." It consists of offering a 50-percent discount onthe purchase of course materials and exam registrations toinsurance professionals who have lost their jobs due to the pooreconomy. It said it hopes to facilitate those affected by layoffsand downsizing by helping them earn appropriate industrydesignations. For claim professionals, that includes the Associatein Claims (AIC) and the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter(CPCU) designations.

Those interested must be currently unemployed and will be askedto provide proof to receive the discount. According to theInstitutes, the 50-percent-off discount is available until Dec. 15,2009 and applies to:

? Textbooks and course guides;

? SMART Study Aid materials;

? The discounted exam registration fee (registered on or beforethe first day of the testing window); and

? Exam retakes, should you not pass.

The Institutes said that the discount is not available forpreviously purchased materials or paid exam registration fees.

For more information and specifics about the program, click here.