CompTIA and Maher & Maher, partners in a new national apprenticeship initiative designed to diversify and expand the technology workforce across America, announced that ARIZONA@WORK and the Arizona Department of Economic Security have joined the skills and career building effort.
ARIZONA@WORK provides no-cost services to help employers throughout the state to meet their recruitment and training needs by building a skilled and qualified labor force. ARIZONA@WORK also offers employment readiness assistance to help job seekers improve their employability and obtain gainful employment.
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“ARIZONA@WORK and the Arizona Department of Economic Security registered apprenticeship office are launching the first National Guideline Standards in Arizona with Maher & Maher and the CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech initiative,” said Willie Higgins, registered apprenticeship director with the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Apprenticeship Office. “This collaboration to meet the hiring needs of local employers for tech occupations is a win-win for our diverse population and for the future of a skilled workforce in Arizona.”
“We can demonstrate to employers of any size and from any industry that by investing in training through apprenticeship they can gain access to a diverse pool of candidates and create a predictable pipeline to meet their tech hiring needs,” said Amy Kardel, CompTIA vice president for strategic workforce relationships.
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Employer demand for technology professionals is strong throughout Arizona’s business community. In 2020 the state’s tech-related workforce grew by more than 2,500 net new jobs, the eighth highest total among all states, according to CompTIA’s “Cyberstates 2021.” At the same time, Arizona employers advertised openings for 108,000-plus additional IT positions.
The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has approved National Guideline Standards for Registered Apprenticeship Programs in three entry-level technology job roles – tech support specialist, network support specialist and cybersecurity support technician. These three job roles, with others to follow, form the basis for the CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech framework.
The first program to address this demand using the CompTIA National Guideline Standards has been registered in Arizona. The Technology Support Specialist apprenticeship program at GateWay Community College will begin serving employers and apprentices in the Phoenix area this summer.
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