CompTIA Educational Foundation Receives NEC Foundation of America Grant

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. (PRWEB) May 19, 2008 -- The Computing Technology Industry Association (www.comptia.org) (CompTIA) Educational Foundation announced today it has received a $25,000 grant from NEC Foundation of America to help fund a training program aimed at creating employment opportunities in the nation?s high-tech workforce for young people with disabilities.

The grant awarded this month will be used in the first phase of a national online information technology (IT) training, mentoring, certification, and job placement assistance program for youths with disabilities. The goal is to offer these free services to 65 high school students over the next year.

The program is part of Creating Futures (http://www.creatingfutures.us/individuals.aspx), the CompTIA Educational Foundation initiative that provides career development opportunities for individuals who have historically been under-represented in the IT workforce, including individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth. Creating Futures works with employers to identify their hiring needs, then tailors education and training programs to help individuals obtain the technical, business and communications skills employers are looking for.

?We are extremely grateful for the support of NEC Foundation of America,? said John Venator, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA. ?Creating Futures is important not just for high-tech companies, but for companies across all sectors of our economy. Virtually every industry relies on technology to conduct business. They also rely on a skilled IT workforce to manage their technology infrastructure. Through this training effort, we are reaching out to new groups of talented individuals who are ready, willing and able to contribute to the growth and success of our industry.?

NEC Foundation of America was established in 1991 and endowed at $10 million by NEC Corporation and its United States subsidiaries. Income generated by the endowment is donated to nonprofit organizations in the United States in support of programs with national reach and impact in the arena of assistive technology for people with disabilities. Through its grants, NEC Foundation of America underscores its philosophy of advancing society through technology and enabling individuals to realize their full potential.

For more information on Creating Futures visit http://www.creatingfutures.us/individuals.aspx.

About the CompTIA Educational Foundation

Established in 1998, the CompTIA Educational Foundation continues its mission to develop qualified and productive entry level IT workers, with the hopes of eliminating the skill shortages within the industry. The Foundation receives support from individuals, industry leaders, companies and the government through contributions and grants, giving hundreds of individuals the opportunity to pursue careers in IT. For more information, visit http://www.creatingfutures.us/.

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world?s $3 trillion information technology industry. CompTIA membership extends into more than 100 countries and includes companies at the forefront of innovation; the channel partners and solution providers they rely on to bring their products to market; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their technology investments. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.

Contact:

Steven Ostrowski

Director, Corporate Communications

CompTIA

Phone: 630-678-8468

Email: sostrowski @ comptia.org

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