As demand for technology workers remains high, CompTIA to launch Raleigh certification program

RALEIGH – About 60,000 to 70,000 jobs are open across the Triangle, and nearly 39,000 technology jobs remain unfilled across the state, according to a recent finding by the North Carolina Technology Association, NC TECH.

In that context, CompTIA announced this week that it would open its first Triangle location for CompTIA Tech Career Academy, a signature IT training program delivered by the company.

The eight-week training program prepares participants for entry-level technology roles, according to a statement shared by the company this week.

The program will occur in person at a facility on Cox Avenue in Raleigh, just off of Hillsborough Street.

“The Raleigh campus location is new and the winter session will be the first class we’ve offered in the Triangle,” said Nancy Hammervik, CEO of CompTIA Tech Career Academy, in an interview with WRAL TechWire. “The instruction we’re providing – our IT-Ready curriculum – has been offered in and around Charlotte since 2018.”

Hammervik noted that the Triangle is one of the fastest-growing technology hubs in the country, with employers in the region posting nearly 46,000 openings for tech positions during the first nine months of 2021.

“It’s clear that current methods of preparing and recruiting tech talent is no longer capable of keeping up with the demand for workers,” said Hammervik. The CompTIA Tech Career Academy can assist, said Hammervik, as it can prepare workers in eight weeks for in-demand help desk and IT support roles.

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According to Hammervik, CompTIA has partnered with Charlotte-based workforce development organizations and employers to deliver training programs in the region. Hammervik noted that graduates of the training program are now employed by Spectrum, TIAA, UNC Charlotte, Unisys, Atrium Health, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and more.

The company’s statement notes that through the program, trainees will learn hardware and software skills “ranging from building a computer from scratch to setting up and managing a network.” Other professional skills are a part of the program, as well.

Following the training curriculum, students At the end of the classroom instruction students take the CompTIA A+ certification exam.

“Tech careers should be accessible to anyone ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work,” Hammervik said in the company’s statement.

Data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median pay for a help desk job as $26.69 per hour, equivalent to about $55,500 annually, and these roles are anticipated to grow at a rate of 8 percent each year.

The training program will begin on Jan. 18. Applications are open through Nov. 19, and the organization is offering a virtual open house on Nov. 9.