CompTIA has partnered with a nonprofit to bring IT training to individuals returning from jail or prison, it announced Oct. 26.
Participants will enroll in a 22-week, part-time online training program that will help them earn necessary certifications to pursue IT careers such as help desk technicians, IT specialists and junior systems administrators, CompTIA said in its announcement. These positions often have starting salaries between $50,000 and $60,000 per year, the organization added.
A career that provides economic mobility is out of reach for many formerly incarcerated individuals, Dane Worthington, director of mobility programs at the Center for Employment Opportunities, said in the press release announcing the partnership. "With just six months of this training, a returning citizen with little to no IT experience can launch an IT career that will serve them and their families for the rest of their lives."
Employees working in tech support have seen their responsibilities increase as companies increased their reliance on technology, CompTIA’s COO said in a statement. Individuals who complete the program may present an expanded pipeline for employers seeking data and cybersecurity talent, for example.
The partnership’s first cohort will consist of 35 individuals and run through April 2023.
Correction: A previous version of this article included an incorrect name for CompTIA's partner. The organization is the Center for Employment Opportunities.
