In Ventura County, California, the nonprofit association for the information technology (IT) industry and workforce, CompTIA, announced today that it is taking part in a new programme for digital upskilling training for job seekers, underemployed current employees, and small business owners.
With the help of the Ventura County Digital Upskilling Training Programme, an economic mobility initiative, over 400 people will receive training in digital skills that will benefit both local residents and businesses. The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), a private nonprofit that provides business consulting, funding, and strategic initiatives to support the regional economy, is in charge of the $5 million state-funded pilot programme. Eight organisations, including CompTIA, have joined forces with EDC for the training initiative.
“We must prepare our workforce for the high-paying job openings we currently have as well as the upcoming career paths. According to State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), who represents parts of Ventura County in California’s 42nd Assembly District, “I secured millions in state funding for Ventura County’s digital upskilling programme.”
“I appreciate CompTIA’s support of this programme, which equips workers with knowledge that will improve their technical and digital literacy abilities and significantly increase their qualifications for employment,” she continued.
According to Mark Plunkett, senior vice president, solutions and services, CompTIA, “The EDC training programme addresses a critical need, as employers in many industries and markets continue their search for tech talent.” “We’re grateful to EDC for including us in this significant workforce development effort to help the citizens of Ventura County enhance their digital skills, grow in confidence, and unlock their potential to work in tech. We’re also grateful to Assemblymember Irwin for her efforts to secure funding.”
There are three distinct cohorts of students in the programme, each with a different set of training requirements and levels of computer proficiency. CompTIA is a member of a cohort for underemployed current employees who have some basic digital skills but require specialised training and certifications in information and communications technologies to advance their careers.
Employers in Ventura County have 185 job openings for computer user support specialists and 52 for information security analysis as of mid-April.1 Jobs for cybersecurity and systems engineers are expected to grow by 3.3% this year, while positions for tech support specialists and repair technicians are expected to grow by 2.2% nationally.2
