CompTIA Educational Foundation Conquers Early Milestones on Quest to Train 1,000 for IT Careers
(NewDesignWorld Press Release Center) -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., - Getting off to a auspicious start in its quest to train individuals in need for a career in information technology (IT), the CompTIA Educational Foundation hit critical milestones by the end of February for its Creating Futures program.
Last year, Creating Futures trained 854 disadvantaged or disabled individuals to help them launch careers in IT, and already another 218 individuals are in training this year – right in line with the Foundation's goal of training 1,000 individuals in need by year's end. This year, almost half of those in training are dislocated workers, and another quarter of those in training are individuals with disabilities – disabled veterans, adults and youth. In 2009, Creating Futures trained 300 individuals with disabilities for a new IT career and helped them bridge their newly acquired skills into full-time employment.
"Finding great jobs as a disabled veteran is a real challenge, but the Creating Futures program at the CompTIA Educational Foundation has and still is helping to create the future for myself and my family," commented Tony V., a disabled vet in Austin, Texas.
The Foundation's staff has counseled more than 800 applicants in the first two months of this year to help them evaluate if an IT career fits with their talents and interests. The Foundation then gives free online training toward CompTIA certifications — which are known throughout the IT industry as reliable predictors of employee success and are therefore some of the best ways to break into the IT field. The Foundation staff works with participants to help them identify which certifications are best suited for them and leads them through the training process.
To support Creating Futures, the Foundation already has fundraised 61 percent of its annual goal with generous contributions from McAfee, Diskeeper, ExamForce, Global Mentoring, InFocus, LearnKey, MeasureUp, Pearson VUE, Prometric, Ricoh, Skillsoft and Xerox, among others.
“So many Americans are ready to launch a new career, and they simply need a little help to get started. Creating Futures puts them on a road to success,” said John Venator, president and CEO of the CompTIA Educational Foundation. “Our generous donors and industry support make Creating Futures possible, and we simply can’t thank them enough.”
Individuals and companies can make a donation and prospective participants can apply for training by visiting the CompTIA Educational Foundation Web site, http://www.CompTIA-EF.org.
About the CompTIA Educational Foundation
The CompTIA Educational Foundation provides career opportunities for individuals who historically have been under-represented in the IT workforce. With the support of individuals, industry leaders, companies and the government, the Foundation creates programs aimed at helping U.S. veterans, at-risk youth, women, minorities, dislocated workers, and individuals with disabilities to obtain the technical and business skills employers require. Since its creation in 1998, the Foundation has helped more than 1,000 individuals enter the IT workforce, helping the industry alleviate its shortage of skilled workers. For more information or to make a donation to the CompTIA Educational Foundation, visit http://www.CompTIA-EF.org.
About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world's information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.comptia.org.
Donor Contact:
Dennis Zimmerman
Executive Director, CompTIA Educational Foundation
630-678-8477
dzimmerman@comptia-ef.org
Media Contact:
Lisa Fasold
Communications, CompTIA Educational Foundation
703-509-1124
lfasold@gmail.com
Discuss Bury
NDW PR Center is a Web 2.0 News release and distribution service
