DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.,
Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- CompTIA, the world's leading technology association,
announced today that it is partnering with Microsoft Corp. on its
flagship program for transitioning veterans, Microsoft Software
& Systems Academy (MSSA).
The collaboration will make it easier for more than 35,000
United States service members to
transition from active duty to high-paying careers in the civilian
IT workforce.
CompTIA said two of its vendor-neutral skills certifications –
CompTIA Network+ and Security+ – are now accepted as prerequisites
by MSSA, an intensive 18-week training program that teaches
transitioning service members the critical IT skills required for
today's growing technology industry careers. Upon successful
completion of the MSSA program, graduates are guaranteed a job
interview at Microsoft or one of its more than 220 hiring
partners.
The initial announcement of this partnership was made available
this past weekend during the Veteran Employment and Education
Committee meeting at The American Legion's 99th National Conference
in Reno, Nev.
"Microsoft and CompTIA's partnership to increase education and
employment opportunities for our transitioning service members and
veterans is the right approach for the IT industry," said
Joe Sharpe, The American Legion,
Director, National Veteran Employment and Education Division.
"Their efforts will be appreciated by those veterans who partake in
their work and gain careers in today's fast growing digital
economy. Two of the top IT certification organizations working to
expand eligibility into the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy
program is a testament on how the IT industry values veterans in
their workforce."
"There are thousands of service members who have already
demonstrated their passion for technology by earning CompTIA
certifications," says Chris Cortez,
vice president for Military Affairs at Microsoft and retired major
general in the U.S. Marine Corps. "Accepting those certifications
as a qualification for MSSA opens the program's doors wider for
more service members, which will empower them to achieve more in
their civilian careers."
Service members who hold either or both of the CompTIA
certifications can use them as prerequisites for two of the four
Learning Paths in the MSSA program: the Server & Cloud
Administration path now accepts CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA
Security+, while the Cybersecurity Administration path now accepts
CompTIA Security+.
"U.S employers across geographies, industries and markets are in
need of trained and certified technology professionals to remain
competitive in the digital economy," said Joe Padin, CompTIA's vice president for U.S.
federal and education sales. "Our military veterans have the right
skillsets to fill the tech talent pipeline. CompTIA is pleased to
be a part of the Microsoft Software & Systems Academy and to
expand our involvement with the nation's military community by
helping our service men and women transition to rewarding civilian
careers in the IT workforce."
"An estimated 1.8 million jobs in the nation's tech occupation
workforce will need to be filled through 2024 due to technology
changes, business growth and retirements," said Dr. James Stanger, chief technology evangelist for
CompTIA. "As employers work to close skills gaps within their IT
teams and to ramp up their readiness for emerging technologies
they're placing greater reliance on professional certifications
from credible providers."
Special Promotion from CompTIA
To make it even easier for MSSA applicants to acquire the
certification that best fits their goals, CompTIA is offering them
a 26-percent discount on the cost of CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA
Security+ certifications. For more information on the discount and
registration, applicants should contact the academic partner
administering MSSA at their location: Saint Martin's University at
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, or Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University at other program sites. The
Microsoft Virtual Academy offers free courses to qualify for MTA
certification.
With more than two million certifications awarded, CompTIA is
the world's leading provider of vendor-neutral skills
certifications for technology professionals. Visit CompTIA
Certifications to learn more.
CompTIA: Building the Foundation for Technology's
Future
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the
world's leading technology association, with approximately 2,000
member companies, 3,000 academic and training partners, over
100,000 registered users and more than two million IT
certifications issued. CompTIA's unparalleled range of programs
foster workforce skills development and generate critical knowledge
and insight – building the foundation for technology's future.
Visit CompTIA online, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to learn
more.
Contact:
Steven
Ostrowski
CompTIA
sostrowski@comptia.org
630-678-8468
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SOURCE CompTIA