U.S. Military Veterans Tap into Free IT Training Program

Military Veterans Tap into Free IT Training Program

CompTIA’s Creating Futures Program Helps Veterans to Enter the IT Workforce

(Oakbrook Terrace, Ill)  After launching IT careers for more than 160 military veterans since 2007, the CompTIA Education Foundation seeks to offer additional free IT training and certification through its Creating Futures program. The CompTIA Educational Foundation aims to have more than 300 veterans participate in Creating Futures this year and is actively seeking IT companies to employ the veterans that pass certification.

Creating Futures provides free career opportunities to populations historically under-represented in the IT industry, including U.S. veterans, individuals with disabilities, minorities, women, at-risk youth and dislocated workers. The program works with employers to identify their hiring needs, then tailors education and training programs to help individuals obtain the skills the employers are looking for to enable them to secure IT careers.

     “Our military veterans gave their all to help safeguard the American dream. Now it’s time to help veterans realize their own dreams as they transition from military service to the business world,” said John Venator, president and CEO of the CompTIA Educational Foundation.

The CompTIA Educational Foundation’s Creating Futures program provides training, mentoring, courseware, practice exams, and certification vouchers at no cost to veterans. Program 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 and build a solid career.

When shifting from the Armed Forces to the private sector, veterans often feel lost and desire an organized and challenging environment again. For veterans like Grahm Donovan, Creating Futures renews their sense of purpose.

"The army gives you an objective and pushes you to achieve it, not letting anything stand in your way. As an infantry man, it thrusts you into situations that you think you can’t handle, but you do," commented U.S. Army Veteran Donovan when looking back at his military career. "You gain a unique sense of confidence and purpose."

Donovan, a resident of Lebanon, Ohio, a Cincinnati suburb, joined the army in 1989 after high school and fought in Operation Desert Storm.

After moving back into the private sector in 1993, he floundered, searching for the right job and career path. He was always drawn to computers, but didn’t know how to get started. Donovan worked various customer service jobs and retail jobs instead. In 2000, he learned about CompTIA’s certification programs, but didn’t have the time, money or resources to study and take the exams.

However in late 2007, Donovan heard about Creating Futures through CompTIA’s e-newsletters. He applied online immediately and worked with the Foundation’s staff to map out his training plan. He praises the web-based training tools which allowed him to work at his own pace and gave him visuals to help him better understand IT concepts. He passed certification for CompTIA A+® and CompTIA Network+® and currently is studying to take the CompTIA Security+™ exam.

After gaining his initial certification, Donovan became a project analysis consultant, working on RFID and GPS tags on commercial vehicles. His CompTIA certification was key for getting hired. "This is the best job and the best-paying job I’ve ever had," claims Donovan.

"The Creating Futures program gave me a sense of confidence that I can achieve things within the IT Industry, and I can’t thank them enough," added Donovan. "I hope more IT companies rally behind veterans and help us join their industry. The Army exposed me to a broad variety of people who learned to work together to achieve a common goal, and that attitude is paramount in the business world."

"Military experience combined with IT training and certification makes for a highly valuable employee," commented Venator. "Companies can offer financial support, in-kind equipment or internships to help veterans get a foot in the door of our robust industry."

Individuals and companies can make a donation and veterans can apply for training by visiting the Creating Futures website, www.comptiaeducationalfoundation.org

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About the CompTIA Educational Foundation

The CompTIA Educational Foundation provides career opportunities for populations 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 www.comptiaeducationalfoundation.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