Partnering to Improve Fundamental IT Skills

The following is a guest post from Certiport's CEO Ray Kelly.

Last week we finally heard some good news about U.S. unemployment rates.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that public and private industry created 162,000 jobs in March, offering signs a slow economic recovery may be on the horizon.  Notably, the report did not mention the IT labor market, which is receiving mixed reviews.

Every time I hear news about the economy, I am concerned for both students and IT professionals seeking employment in this tough landscape.  But my advice to them is always the same – in a down economy, take the time to validate your skills. Certification is the best way to demonstrate proficiency and can separate individuals who "say" they can, from those who  have "proven" they can perform.

Last Thursday, Certiport and CompTIA came together to work towards the same goal – help students upgrade their IT skill sets to stand out from the pack at their current jobs or in seeking new employment.  Certiport has a network of more than 10,000 testing centers, and the new partnership will allow us to deliver the Strata™ IT Fundamentals test worldwide.

The partnership will leverage the unique capabilities of both organizations to provide individuals with the digital skills necessary to thrive in today’s marketplace.

Certiport was impressed with CompTIA’s basic approach to giving IT professionals a broad introduction to computing technology.  Certiport’s Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3®) covers a broader range of digital literacy concepts, providing a foundation that allows users to transition perfectly to the exam.

Now, the estimated 26 million students interested in pursuing an IT career can assess their individual capabilities and match them to organizational needs.  Certiport’s expansive distribution network, particularly strong in the academic market, will quickly advance delivery of the Strata IT Fundamentals test all over the world.