Creating IT Futures Foundation Shares First-year Success Data in New Whitepaper

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four months after completing the IT-Ready Apprentice Program, 72 percent of graduates were employed full time in information technology-related positions, according to the program's sponsor, the Creating IT Futures Foundation.

That's a key takeaway from a new whitepaper examining the inaugural year efforts of the IT-Ready Program, made possible by the Creating IT Futures Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, a non-profit trade organization representing the interests of IT professionals and companies.

"Despite the recent recession and associated unemployment, the IT industry continues to struggle with a shortage of qualified applicants – so there exists an obvious need for a pipeline that leads work-ready candidates into the industry," said Charles Eaton, CEO of the Foundation. "The IT-Ready Program is successfully training motivated adults and connecting them with career opportunities that can change their lives. We've developed a model that works."

The IT-Ready Program provides eight weeks of intensive, classroom-based education and training completely free of charge to admitted students from these target audiences:

• Displaced workers whose skill sets are no longer in high demand
• Groups under-represented in the IT workforce, such as women and ethnic minorities
• Veterans and their spouses and caregivers
• Individuals seeking economic security, especially in light of recent unemployment

Participants learn skills such as building a computer from parts, installing software, troubleshooting problems and setting up and managing networks. They also learn "softer" professional skills such as communication, customer service and job interviewing.

After completing training and passing CompTIA A+ certification exams, graduates qualify for a six-month paid apprenticeship with a local participating company – usually in the role of help-desk or technical support. Such internships often lead to permanent, full-time employment. Indeed, all but one graduate who completed his or her apprenticeship remain employed in an IT-related role. Most are working for the same organizations that granted them apprenticeships.

"On-the-job experience is a critical factor driving the eventual success of job seekers within the IT industry," Eaton said. "Besides teaching the hard technical and softer professional skills that prepare candidates for the workplace, the IT-Ready Program is committed to connecting graduates with employers."

The IT-Ready Apprentice Program is offered in Minneapolis / St. Paul and Cincinnati. It's also offered in Columbus, Ohio, in partnership with the non-profit organization Per Scholas. Eaton said the IT-Ready Program will expand to more cities in 2014.

To read the Creating IT Futures Foundation's whitepaper about the IT-Ready Program in its entirety, visit http://www.creatingitfutures.org/resources/whitepaper.aspx

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation
Founded in 1998 as the philanthropic arm of CompTIA, the Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c) (3) charity with the mission of helping populations that are under-represented in IT and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org and www.ITready.com.

SOURCE Creating IT Futures Foundation