CompTIA, the world’s leading provider of vendor-neutral certifications on a range of technology skills, has launched a new tech skills educational program that can help students and adult learners expand their digital know-how.
CompTIA IT Fundamentals+†is an introduction to basic technical knowledge in software development, network connectivity, security, troubleshooting theory, and preventative maintenance of devices. It focuses on four pillars of technology – infrastructure, software development, security, and data – as outlined in the CompTIA report “A Functional IT Framework.”
“Technology jobs are not going away; they are growing and expanding as new and emerging technology solutions such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, robotics, and the Internet of Things take hold,” said James Stanger, chief technology evangelist for CompTIA. “Beyond the tech workforce, having strong digital skills, validated by a †respected and widely recognized credential such as CompTIA IT Fundamentals+, is a gateway to a first job or to career advancement in almost any industry.”
Nearly one half of the labor market involves middle-skill jobs; defined as positions that require more than a high school education, but less than a bachelor’s degree, according to Burning Glass Technologies, a leading job market analytics firm.†More than eight in eight in ten middle-skill jobs (82 percent) require digital skills, a 4-percent increase since 2014.
“CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ stands apart in several respects from other credentials that purport to measure basic technology knowledge and literacy,” said Tazneen Kasem, director, product management, CompTIA. “Some programs are heavily weighted on software, while others focus almost exclusively on infrastructure. Other organizations require individuals to pass multiple tests just to learn the basics of tech. CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ covers the critical fundamentals of technology in a single exam.”
CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ is ideal for a range of audiences, including:
- Middle school, high school and community college students considering technology as a career option.
- Experienced workers in the midst of a career change who are considering the tech field.
- Professionals who sell technology-related solutions.
- Non-technical workers seeking a better understanding of the technologies they use in their jobs.
The launch of the new certification exam (FC0-U61) is accompanied by the availability of Official CompTIA Content, including “The Official CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Instructor and Student Guides” for instructor-led training, and “The Official CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Study Guide” for self-paced study.†
Additional resources such as labs, CompTIA’s new comprehensive eLearning product CertMaster Learn and CompTIA’s adaptive test prep software CertMaster Practice will be available later this fall.
