CompTIA, Arizona Technology Council, Team Up to Support STEM Education in Arizona Schools

PHOENIX, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, CompTIA, through its TechVoice partnership with Arizona Technology Council and other state-based technology associations around the country, made a $5,000 grant to support education in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields in Arizona. The grant is one in a series of grants CompTIA, through its Creating IT Futures Foundation, is making on behalf of its TechVoice partners to support community-based efforts to promote IT and IT workforce development, education and training.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120203/MM47146LOGO)

"The advancement of STEM education is critical to building our nation's future technology workforce," said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA.  "Students who are better educated in these areas can become more effective and innovative employees in technology companies and in IT jobs supporting companies in almost every sector of the economy.  Through our foundation, Creating IT Futures Foundation, and partnerships such as TechVoice, CompTIA is contributing to local STEM education – and workforce readiness - in states across the country, including Arizona."

The Arizona Technology Council Foundation has been designated as the recipient of CompTIA's grant. The Foundation currently supports the Arizona Middle School Science Bowl, Arizona Science & Engineering Fair, Arizona SciTech Festival and GetSTEM-az.com – all aimed at improving STEM education.  It also supports the Arizona Innovation Institute.

"Improving STEM education in our schools is an important part of the Arizona Technology Council's mission to educate, promote, influence and unite Arizona's growing technology community," said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO, Arizona Technology Council. "Engaging technology leaders like CompTIA to help promote STEM education is one way that we are supporting the development of a technology workforce for our local technology community."

CompTIA's grant to the Arizona Technology Council Foundation is part of CompTIA's policy to support the creation of jobs in the technology industry.  Its foundation, the Creating IT Futures Foundation, provides training and certification opportunities to people who have historically been under-represented in the IT workforce, including individuals with disabilities, at-risk youth, women, and military personnel and their spouses.

"We are honored to receive this grant from CompTIA and are pleased that other members of the technology community are joining in the march to make STEM education a priority with our schools, legislators, parents and, most importantly, students," said Charles Jirauch, Esq., partner, Global Southwest Capital and chairman, Arizona Technology Council Foundation. "Technology is the future for our world, but we need an educated workforce to keep our state, and nation, at the forefront of innovation."

"Overall, we hope to further the growth and development of the IT industry through the creation and support of programs that increase the size and improve the quality of our technology workforce," said Thibodeaux.

About CompTIA
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 or follow CompTIA on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/comptia.

About the Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona's premier trade association for science and technology companies.  Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry.  These interactions contribute to the Council's culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit http://www.aztechcouncil.org.

About the Arizona Technology Council Foundation
The Arizona Technology Council Foundation is dedicated to further promoting and growing technology in Arizona through the raising of funds, leadership, collaboration and innovation.  The Foundation is home to Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) programs including getSTEM™-az , the Arizona SciTech Festival, the Arizona Middle School Science Bowl and the Arizona Science & Engineering Fair. In additional, The Foundation is home to the Arizona Innovation Institute and the Tech Terra Recycling program.

About TechVoice
TechVoice (www.techvoice.org) is a partnership of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), and participating regional technology associations. Collectively, we represent thousands of technology companies across the country employing millions of workers. We are dedicated to empowering and mobilizing the grassroots tech community to impact legislative and regulatory issues important to growth, innovation and job creation.

SOURCE Arizona Technology Council Foundation