The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (DHEWD) has extended its partnership with CompTIA, one of the world’s largest nonprofit trade associations through 2021. This partnership will provide in-demand, on-demand information technology training to displaced workers in Central Missouri.
If you’re interested in starting or growing a career in IT, now is the time!
In September, the Missouri Office of Workforce Development, in collaboration with the Central Workforce Development Board, directed CARES Act funding to offer training to Central Missourians looking to skill up and get back to work. Registration for the training programs was originally slated to end on Dec. 4, 2020, but that deadline has been extended through 2021 using Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding.
“CompTIA training offers a great opportunity for Missourians to hone valuable, in-demand skills. We are thrilled to announce the extension of this partnership. Expanding Missouri’s information technology workforce will help secure the state’s economic future and, more importantly, improve the lives of its citizens.”
Dr. Mardy Leathers, Director of workforce Development
CompTIA trains students with little-to-no information technology or project management experience and helps them develop the technical and soft skills to launch their career. Offering both entry and advanced level IT and project management trainings, these programs are offered completely online, and at each student’s own pace. CompTIA will provide virtual mentorship and resources to help ensure success and completion of the programs.
Professional certifications are available in one of the three programs mentioned below:
CompTIA A+ (Information Technology)
A+ is the starting point for a career in IT. The performance-based exams certify foundational IT skills across a variety of devices and operating systems.
CompTIA A+ certified professionals are proven problem solvers. They support today’s core technologies from security to cloud to data management and more.
Participants will master 9 different skills, including operating systems, security, networking, virtualizing and cloud computing.
CompTIA Security+ (Cybersecurity)
Security+ provides a global benchmark for best practices in IT network and operational security, one of the fastest-growing fields in IT.
CompTIA Security+ is a global certification that validates the baseline skills you need to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career.
A few of the skills you will learn include detecting threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities; risk management; and cryptography and PKI.
Need some assistance finding your next career pathway? We’re ready to help! Learn more today…
CompTIA Project+ (Project Management).
Project+ validates the ability to initiate, manage and complete a project or business initiative on time and within budget.
CompTIA Project+ gives business professionals – inside and outside of IT – the basic concepts to successfully manage small- to medium-sized projects.
Skills you will learn are project basics and constraints, communication and change management, and project tools and documentation.
Flexible Training Offered
As Missouri continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, CompTIA offers flexible training.
Information Technology jobs are some of the most in-demand in Missouri, with computer occupations projected to grow 13 percent from 2018-2028. According to the Cyberstates™ 2020 report, the U.S. technology industry has added an estimated 1.9 million new jobs over the past decade. The tech sector accounts for approximately 10 percent of the total U.S. economy, making it one of the largest industries.
To be eligible for free CompTIA training, applicants must be over 18 years old, and have been laid off or furloughed because of COVID-19.
Those interested must qualify for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, and may be asked to take two assessments through their local Missouri Job Center to see if they are eligible. Applications for enrollment in CompTIA training will be accepted through June 30, 2021.
To get started, contact your local Job Center or satellite location site or call 888-726-JOBS (5627) to speak with a team member today.