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Rigorous cybersecurity boot camp will train and certify 120 new IT pros

Mission, Texas – Up to 120 individuals will be trained and certified in the latest cybersecurity skills through a new program offered by the Mission (Texas) Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in collaboration with CompTIA, the leading technology industry association.

CompTIA said today it is expanding its collaboration with Mission EDC to offer cybersecurity training and certification opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas beginning in January 2018.

“This collaboration between Mission EDC and CompTIA will benefit both the local community and its workforce,” said Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Texas’ labor force is the backbone of the Texas economy. It is made up of hard-working individuals who are eager to obtain the skills that our employers need.”

 A total of 120 individuals will participate in a rigorous 12-week training boot camp and have the opportunity to earn up to three of CompTIA’s industry-leading certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+.

“This boot camp is focused on filling a need in professional certification of IT workers in cybersecurity. The demand for certified workers encompasses all industries in IT departments and companies that provide IT services to businesses both large and small,” said Alex Meade, CEO, Mission EDC.

CompTIA and Mission EDC first teamed up in 2017 to train and certify 40 individuals.

Mission EDC received a Texas Workforce Commission grant in the amount of $496,120 for the 2018 training program, which will be offered in three 12-week sessions, each with 40 individuals who meet Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) basic eligibility requirements. Mission EDC’s Career Services Coordinator will provide recruitment, pre-screening, job readiness training and job placement services to participants for this intensive program.

Employer demand for certified tech professionals generally, and cybersecurity workers in particular, remains high both nationwide and in Texas.

A CompTIA analysis finds that employers across Texas posted job openings for 43,634 core IT positions in Q3; and for more than 137,000 tech jobs openings this year. Within the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area, the corresponding numbers are 68 core IT job postings in Q3, and 233 for the full year.

CompTIA is the leading provider of vendor-neutral skills certification for technology professionals around the world. Theses credentials validate a wide range of skills related to the technology solutions used today by small business, mid-sized companies and large enterprises. Many of these employers rely on certifications as a screening or hiring criteria during recruitment.

“Certified tech professionals are quicker to get acclimated to a new work environment; are more likely to fix problems right the first time; and are more adept at anticipating issues before they become problems,” said Mark Plunkett, senior director, business development, CompTIA. “Employers also believe that employees with IT certifications possess better skills in communications, project management and working as part of a team.”

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