Press Releases

Training program helps budding IT professionals  build certified skills

Downers Grove, Ill. – CompTIA, the leading provider of vendor-neutral training and skills certifications for the global technology workforce, announced today that three of its market-leading professional credentials have been added to the core education curriculum of the Microsoft Datacenter Academy program.

CompTIA certifications support Microsoft’s goal to equip workers with skills for 21^st Century jobs and to help job seekers gain the experience needed to fill technical roles in their communities.

The Datacenter Academy program is a part of Microsoft’s broader Datacenter Community Development initiative, which works to build partnerships that deliver economic, social and environmental benefits in communities where Microsoft operates datacenters.

"Microsoft partners with nonprofits, governments, educators, and businesses around the world to ensure all learners have access to digital skills training and inclusive computer science education," said Utaukwa Allen, Senior Director, Microsoft Datacenter Community Development. "CompTIA is an important partner for the Microsoft Datacenter Academy program, which develops IT skills for the community workforce in locations where Microsoft operates datacenters. Skills learned through the CompTIA curriculum prepare workers for jobs in the digital economy, including working in a Microsoft datacenter."

“Our certifications have long been recognized as the de facto industry standard for validating essential core technology skills,” said John McGlinchey, executive vice president for global certification at CompTIA. “We’re pleased to team with Microsoft in their effort to address the need for more technology professionals.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, datacenters were deemed essential businesses by most jurisdictions due to the reliance on cloud services by businesses, schools, and government agencies, including many first responders. Highly skilled technical workers support the delivery of critical IT services to a world in need.

“As the world grapples with how to respond to COVID-19, governmental agencies are using cloud services to help provide critical services to citizens, businesses shifted to work-from-home policies and are using cloud productivity tools to stay connected, and healthcare organizations have ramped up tele-medicine,” said Allen. “IT workers, whether they work in a hyperscale datacenter or on the frontlines of an IT department, are more important than ever.”

Currently five education partners around the United States are partnering with Microsoft in this program – Southside Virginia Community College, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa, Laramie County Community College in Wyoming, and Big Bend Community College in Washington.

Three CompTIA certifications will become required components of the existing IT curriculum at the schools:

• CompTIA A+, the industry standard for establishing a career in technology.
• CompTIA Network+, which helps developcareers in tech infrastructure covering troubleshooting, configuring, and managing networks.
• CompTIA Server+, which validates the skills needed to work in datacenters or cloud environments.

Participating schools also have the option of adding CompTIA Security+, which covers baseline cybersecurity skills, to their programs. Classroom instructors at the five partner schools will have the opportunity to join the CompTIA Instructor Network, a worldwide community for educators and trainers who provide CompTIA certification training.

CompTIA is the global leader in vendor-neutral technical education and certifications in skills ranging from IT support and networking to cybersecurity and cloud computing. Nearly 2.7 million CompTIA certifications have been awarded to technology professionals in 232 countries around the world.

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About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5.2 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the more than 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce.

Contact:

Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
630-678-8468
[email protected]
www.comptia.org/
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