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Mar 09, 2010
Education Partnership Grows to Help Dislocated Workers Gain New Jobs
Ricoh Increases Donation to the CompTIA Educational Foundation
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., March 9, 2010 - Striving to help America’s dislocated workers obtain the IT skills they need to compete in today’s tech job market, Ricoh Americas Corporation increased its donation to the CompTIA Educational Foundation’s Creating Futures program. With 200 annual online training seats for CompTIA certification training, plus an additional 25 seats for Cisco certification training, the $87,000 donation allows Creating Futures to provide employment-focused computer training free to disadvantaged and disabled persons so that they can achieve rewarding careers in the IT industry.
“Last year we set a new record for our Foundation, training 854 individuals in need for an IT career. Only through generous donations like Ricoh’s can we fund Creating Futures and make sure every individual in need has the means to launch a new IT career,” said John Venator, president and CEO, CompTIA Educational Foundation. “Training and certification are key for getting hired in the tech industry.”
Online training, mentoring, courseware, practice exams, and certification vouchers are provided at no cost to Creating Futures participants through Ricoh University. Students have access to 24-hour online mentoring and can work at their own pace.
“Through our Ricoh University program, we deliver comprehensive technical and sales instruction to our internal employees and dealers,” said Beverley Patterson, senior director of learning and organizational development at Ricoh Americas Corporation. “By offering our eLearning services to Creating Futures participants, we can help all people obtain a brighter future. I encourage other IT leaders to get involved with Creating Futures.”
The CompTIA Educational Foundation aims to attract $1 million in fundraising this year which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by CompTIA. Donations can be in cash, equipment or training seats. All gifts are 100 percent tax-deductible.
Individuals and companies can make a donation to the program, and prospective participants can apply for training by visiting the Foundation's Web site, http://www.CompTIA-EF.org.
About Ricoh Americas Corporation
Ricoh Americas Corporation, headquartered in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., the 73-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment and electronics, with fiscal year 2008 sales in excess of $20 billion. Ricoh Americas Corporation is a leading provider of document solutions. Ricoh’s fully integrated hardware and software products help businesses share information efficiently and effectively by enabling customers to control the input, management and output of documents. Ricoh Americas Corporation directly or through its network of authorized dealers markets and distributes products in North, Central and South America. Information about Ricoh's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.ricoh-usa.com.
About the CompTIA Educational Foundation
With the support of individuals, industry leaders, companies and the government, the CompTIA Educational Foundation creates programs aimed at helping disadvantaged and disabled persons 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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