CompTIA’s Troops to Tech

Careers Initiative

Gretchen Koch

Sr. Director, Workforce Development Programs

11/5/2012

Returning Veterans Face a Very

Competitive Hiring Landscape

• 1M returning Military Veterans 2011-2016

• National average unemployment down, but double

digit jobless still in many cities and states

• Many long-term unemployed workers already in the

system

• A strained Public Workforce System

Why IT is a Good Career Choice for

Returning Veterans

• CompTIA’s Market Research reveals:

– IT industry employs >5M workers

– >3.6M workers found in IT departments in other vertical markets,

with average salaries of $81,000

– National unemployment average = 7.9%; Unemployment rate for

computer & math-related professions = 3.6%

– There are >285,000 open IT jobs waiting to be filled

• IT offers:

– Above average wages

– A sustainable, lifelong career path

– National & worldwide opportunities

IT in the Military

• All branches include IT/computing as a specialty

occupation option:

• Many military jobs are technical in nature, with

transferable skill sets to IT/computing

• DOD’s D8570 mandates specified IT training &

certifications for military personnel dealing with

Information Security

Entry & Mid-Level IT Opportunities

Help Desk Technicians ($45K)

Computer Support Technicians ($55K)

Network Administrator ($63K)

Database Management Admin ($70K)

Health IT Technicians ($78K)

Security Professional ($87K)

Project Management ($95K)

CompTIA & IT Workforce Development

• A not-for-profit global trade association representing

the IT Industry

• Inclusive of all IT industry segments: Hardware;

Software; Telecommunications; IT Services

• Businesses, Training Providers, and Not-for-profit

organizations, Schools, Community Colleges and

Universities

• Over 1.5M CompTIA certifications granted worldwide

– Vendor-neutral

– Foundational

– For entry and mid-level IT technician positions

What is Troops to Tech Careers?

Troops to Tech Careers is a CompTIA Initiative designed to help ease the transition

for Veterans from military to civilian employment by providing a pathway to a

successful career in IT through outreach, education, training, certification and employment.

3 Program Pillars

7

Learn Certify Work

Learn.

8

Measure Up Aptitude Test

*Contract in Progress

• Semi-Proctored Exam

•4 sections: numeric, verbal, symbolic, visual speed & accuracy

IT Career Roadmap

• Shows Various IT Career Pathways

• Includes All IT Certification Bodies

Educational Benefits

• Lists various benefits that cover the cost of education and certification

Locate Learning

Environment

•CAPP Academy Members

• State by State Listing

Certify.

9

A Certified Workforce Accelerates and Elevates Performance Employers looking for skilled employees who have the required knowledge and skills, don’t require extensive job training and can hit the

ground running to impact their organizations quickly.

IT is Everywhere

IT is needed and/or essential to:

Most organizations

Most Industries

Qualify for Jobs & Build an IT Career

Essential credentials that qualify

candidates for:

Jobs

Increased Compensation

Promotion

Qualify for increased responsibilities

Certifications qualify individuals for:

New opportunities

Challenges

Stick Out from the Resume Pile

Hiring managers demand the

strongest skill set.

Certifications validate your

knowledge and skills

Top benefits of IT certifications

Ability to understand new or

complex technologies

Higher productivity

More insightful problem solving

Work.

Corporate Registry

Job Locater Tool

Job Search Resource Links

Progress to Date

• 8200 Veterans certified on CompTIA’s certifications

since 1/1/2012

• 10,700 CompTIA certifications taken by Veterans

since 1/1/2012

• Part of an IT Industry White House Initiative to

provide training and certification to transitioning

veterans.

– Includes leading IT certifying bodies

– Matches MOCs to in-demand IT job functions

– Free training & free certification CompTIA vouchers during the

Pilot

Troops to Tech Careers

Linking Veterans to Resources for IT Careers

Veterans & Military Spouses

WIBs

Assess, advise, refer for training/education, credentialing and job placement

Community Colleges

Educate veterans on IT knowledge & skills for Industry credentials & degrees

CompTIA

Access to assessments, educational resources, industry credentials and employment resources