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Nov 11, 2009
CompTIA Educational Foundation Doubles Success Rate of Trainees for IT Certification
Foundation Reaches Record Benchmark of Training 800+ Individuals in Need This Year
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., November 11, 2009 - Through career counseling, the
CompTIA Educational Foundation has nearly doubled the success rate of its Creating Futures participants achieving certifications in information technology (IT).
This year alone, the Foundation has trained 825 individuals in need to help them launch careers in IT, a record 163 percent annual increase. Of those trained, 62 percent already have passed their certification exams, a substantial increase from the Foundation’s 34-percent pass rate of last year. More than 550 military and disabled veterans have received training. Plus another 45 non-military individuals with disabilities have been trained, as well as 24 youth at risk.
The Foundation’s staff reviewed more than 17,000 online training applications this year and helped a majority of those applicants evaluate if an IT career fit with their talents and interests. The Foundation also provided practice exams for its participants so that they can make sure they’re ready to sit for a certification exam. Creating Futures participants train 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 then leads them through the training process.
Mario Rebac of Oakland Park, Fla., a Creating Futures participant, said, “The Creating Futures staff kept me on pace, followed up to make sure I completed the online training and were proactive to ensure that I obtained my certification. After passing the CompTIA A+ exam, I gained employment from ONForce.com and was given a huge raise and more work opportunities.”
“Our partners, donors and volunteers have helped our Creating Futures participants achieve incredible success this year,” said John Venator, president and CEO of the CompTIA Educational Foundation. “Even in this down economy, more than 800 individuals re-tooled their careers and entered the IT industry. Our CompTIA members have benefitted with a new supply of qualified technicians that help diversify the industry while at the same time gaining that powerful feeling of doing good for those in need.”
Creating Futures provides career opportunities to groups of people historically under-represented in the IT industry, including military veterans, individuals with disabilities, minorities, women, at-risk youth and dislocated workers. Training, mentoring, courseware, practice exams, and certification vouchers are provided at no cost to these individuals.
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
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