CompTIA Newsroom

12-week training program underway to ready people with disabilities to fill in-demand IT support positions

GARDEN CITY, N.Y., and DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – Individuals with disabilities are preparing for employment opportunities as information technology (IT) specialists through a training program offered by not-for-profit organizations The Corporate Source and CompTIA.

Six students are participating in a 12-week, instructor-led remote classroom training program that is preparing them for work in entry-level IT support positions.

The Corporate Source, which has been creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities since 1996, provides the students with all training materials, and computer hardware and software. CompTIA, the association for the IT industry and workforce, is delivering the live virtual training.

"TCS is proud to partner with CompTIA to create an exciting new career path in IT for individuals with disabilities,” said Kelly Quinn, chief financial officer for The Corporate Source. “IT is a growth sector with incredible demand from businesses for trained and certified technology workers. This program meets our organization's mission and at the same time, helps companies that hire our graduates create a more diverse and equitable workforce."

In February employers across the United States listed more than 24,000 open positions for IT support specialists, according to CompTIA’s “Tech Jobs Report.” These specialists have a vital frontline role for organizations, providing high quality, high availability technical support in areas such as cybersecurity, hardware, software, mobile devices, cloud computing while keeping remote workers and work from home employees connected. IT support jobs are often the steppingstone to career advancement opportunities in the tech workforce.

“We are pleased to team with The Corporate Source in this important IT skills-building program,” said Mark Plunkett, vice president of the CompTIA Tech Career Academy. “Our organizations share the same beliefs when it comes to developing, expanding and diversifying the technology workforce and building digital skills.

“We are both committed to helping people build the confidence to believe that they can work in IT; providing them with the resources they need to unlock their full potential; and opening doors to new employment opportunities that offer both strong earning potential and career advancement pathways,” Plunkett added.

At the conclusion of the virtual classroom instruction students will have the opportunity to earn two professional certifications – CompTIA IT Fundamentals, an introduction to basic IT knowledge and skills; and CompTIA A+, the industry standard for establishing a career in IT.

The TCS Vocational Rehabilitation Services Team will enrich the program with training and job placement support, as well as provide ongoing career coaching to foster success.

About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. https://www.comptia.org/.

About The Corporate Source
Established in 1996, The Corporate Source provides people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities with well-paying, secure jobs from New York City and Long Island to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. https://www.thecorporatesource.org/

Media Contact
Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
sostrowski@comptia.org
+1 630-678-8468