IT Industry Applauds Obama's TechHire Initiative

Creating IT Futures Supports Training in Initial Cities with Plans to Go Nationwide

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Mar 09, 2015, 02:31 ET

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CompTIA and its philanthropic arm, the Creating IT Futures Foundation, issued the following statement in support of President Obama's TechHire Initiative, a new campaign to work with communities to get more Americans rapidly trained for well-paying technology jobs.

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"We are excited to see the administration's emphasis on training and education to fill the increasing number of job openings in the IT workforce," said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO, CompTIA. "We have been working closely with Congress and the administration to make IT training and certification a priority. The average IT worker's salary is double that of the private sector and we must continue to expand access to these jobs, many of which do not require a four-year degree."

"Philadelphia was one of the first 5 areas targeted for the pilot of the TechHire Initiative, and Creating IT Futures stepped up immediately to bring our IT-Ready Program to Philadelphia this May. The IT-Ready job program is offered free of charge to help unemployed and under-employed individuals enter the information technology (IT) field, which has a shortage of qualified workers," said Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures Foundation.

"We're pleased that President Obama is expanding the initiative to 21 regions, particularly Minneapolis, the headquarters of our IT-Ready program. Since our program was established in Minneapolis / St. Paul in 2012, more than 100 individuals have graduated from IT-Ready, with nearly 95 percent earning their CompTIA A+ certification and 80 percent moving into paid IT roles with area companies after graduation," add Eaton.

"Philadelphia is the second 'pop-up' location of IT-Ready, following a successful launch in Omaha, Neb., last fall, as Creating IT Futures introduces communities to the program for potential future expansion. IT-Ready classes currently are offered in Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; New York City; and the Washington, D.C., area by Per Scholas and in Minneapolis / St. Paul by Creating IT Futures. As with the President's TechHire Initiative, IT-Ready has plans for further nationwide expansion this year so that we can help train those lacking in opportunity to be successful in future IT careers," said Eaton.

IT-Ready's current class is running in downtown Minneapolis from February 9 - April 3. A new IT-Ready office opens within the International Dairy Queen Corporation building in Edina, Minn., this spring. The eight-week classes in Edina will start May 4, July 20 and October 19. Partnering with workforce development organization Philadelphia Works, Creating IT Futures will host an eight-week IT-Ready class for as many as 25 students in Philadelphia starting on May 4^th as well. Applications for the next classes in Edina and Philadelphia are due by April 13. Potential participants can apply at www.ITReady.com.

Beyond IT-Ready, Creating IT Futures is collaborating with local groups in other cities identified by the TechHire Initiative. The foundation's IT Futures Labs researches, develops, tests and launches innovative non-profit programs tailored for the IT sector that help women, ethnic minorities, and displaced or under-employed individuals secure sustainable careers in IT. Among its various new programs, IT Futures Labs is working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Memphis to get young people, ages 16 to 21, trained and placed in computer technician and other paid roles in IT.

CompTIA's recent Cyberstates report cited more than 650,000 tech jobs opening in the fourth quarter of 2014. The tech sector added 129,600 jobs between 2013 and 2014, for a total of nearly 6.5 million jobs in the U.S.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
The Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

About CompTIA | TechAmerica
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the information technology (IT) industry. Its 2,000+ member companies, 1.8 million certification holders, and 3,000 academic and training partners, are at the forefront of innovation and digitalization. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through educational programs, market intelligence, networking events and professional certifications.

Through its TechAmerica public advocacy efforts, CompTIA champions member-driven business and IT priorities that impact the entire continuum of information technology companies – from small IT service providers and software developers to large equipment manufacturers and communications service providers. CompTIA, along with its policy arm TechAmerica, gives eyes, ears and a voice to technology companies, allowing them to quickly and comprehensively understand policy developments – and then do something about it. CompTIA fosters an environment for members to succeed in information technology through comprehensive global, national and regional advocacy as well as high-level business intelligence that delivers an edge in the marketplace.

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SOURCE CompTIA