Information Technology Certification Available
To meet the growing needs of employers in the information technology field, East Central College is offering free courses for industry recognized CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco certification.
The IT training focuses on a wide range of fundamentals and product-specific technology that enhance an individual’s ability to achieve industry-recognized certifications.
“A U.S. Department of Labor grant funds MoSTEM WINs, a statewide initiative that allows Missourians to obtain technical training in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics,” stated Jeremy Goss, project coordinator of MoSTEM WINs at ECC. “At the college we have put together training opportunities for current workers with full-time obligations who want to improve their skills and credentials in IT. The curriculum can also prepare individuals for initial employment in several areas of information technology.”
There is no cost to participants for the training, though students will have to pay for any certification exams they take. Reduced testing fees will apply to all Comp TIA exams.
Goss stated that to meet the needs of all potential students, the program has been designed to enable participants to complete the courses entirely online. “For those with limited computer access or people wanting more of a hands-on approach, evening and weekend lab hours will be offered at the ECC campus in Union.”
Certification will be offered in CompTIA A+; CompTIA Network+; Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching; Microsoft 70-680 & 70-687-Windows Client Pro 7 & 8; CompTIA Linux+; MS Server 2012 Install, Managed and Advanced Services; as well as CompTIA Security+ & SSCP.
Anna Schwein, instructor for the program, noted that students must complete one certification before enrolling in another course. “Many people have years of IT experience that they picked up on the job or without much formal training,” Schwein said. “This is a great way for people to get their industry recognized credentials that are vital to advancement.”
Schwein added that certifications earned through the program can be applied to either an Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Information Systems at ECC.
“To take advantage of the IT training potential students must have a high school diploma or the equivalent, complete the application for admission, take a placement test if they don’t have prior college credits, and submit a resume or letter of recommendation from an employer,” she said.
The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program that brings the state’s public two-year institutions together with the State Technical College of Missouri to improve the way they educate adult learners. MoSTEM WINs builds on Missouri’s two previous TAACCCT grant projects, MoHealth WINs and MoManufacturing WINs, awarded in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
East Central College plans to train over 80 participants during the next two years.
For more information about the IT certification training, contact Goss at 636-584-6661 or email: jeremy.goss@eastcentral.edu. An interest form is available to complete online.
This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License.