Chicago High School Students Test For IT Certification

High school students in Chicago are getting a shot at professional IT certification.

The Computing Technology Industry Association announced that nearly 500 students are enrolled in Chicago Public Schools' Education to Careers IT program. The program includes instruction for CompTIA's vendor-neutral certifications, culminating in CompTIA exams at three Chicago public high schools this week.

Students from Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy, Hyde Park Academy, John F. Kennedy High School, Roberto Clemente Community Academy, South Shore School of Technology, and Thomas Kelly High School are enrolled. Pearson VUE, an electronic testing company, is coordinating the exams.

The students have prepared for certifications in computer support and networking. Those in the networking program learned to install, configure, and troubleshoot basic networking hardware, protocols, and services, CompTIA said. "On behalf of the leadership and members of CompTIA, I commend all of these students and their instructors for their strong commitment to preparing for careers in the IT industry," John Venator, president and CEO of CompTIA, said in a news announcement. "The skills these students are learning today establish the foundation for personal growth and career advancement in the future."

CompTIA's Education to Careers (E2C) program provides teachers and trainers with information, tools, and resources to prepare students for work in the IT industry. Membership in E2C is available to all publicly funded high schools and colleges, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies that provide IT training.

CompTIA also offers IT training for veterans, at-risk youth, dislocated workers, and people with disabilities through its Creating Futures program, which was recognized last when CompTIA's Educational Foundation received the 2008 Award of Excellence. The American Society of Association Executive sand the center for Association Leadership in Washington, D.C., presented the award for Creating Futures, which offers training to people who are normally under-represented in the IT industry.