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CompTIA has launched a new educational programme, IT Fundamentals+, to help students and adult learners expand their digital skills.
CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ is an introduction to basic technology knowledge in software development, network connectivity, security, troubleshooting theory, and preventative maintenance of devices. It focuses on four pillars of technology – infrastructure, software development, security, and data – as outlined in the CompTIA report A Functional IT Framework.
“Technology jobs are not going away; they are growing and expanding as new and emerging technology solutions such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, robotics, and the Internet of Things take hold,” said James Stanger, chief technology evangelist for CompTIA.
“Beyond the tech workforce, having strong digital skills, validated by a respected and widely recognised credential such as CompTIA IT Fundamentals+, is a gateway to a first job or to career advancement in almost any industry.”
Research from Barclays has shown that more than 40% of people in the UK don’t have the digital skills required by most jobs, while a 2016 report by the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee, revealed that the digital skills gap is already costing the UK economy £63bn a year. This new learning programme is designed to help nurture digital skills and open the gateway to technology careers.
“CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ stands apart in several respects from other credentials that purport to measure basic technology knowledge and literacy,” said Tazneen Kasem, director, product management, CompTIA.
“Some programmes are heavily weighted on software, while others focus almost exclusively on infrastructure. Other organisations require individuals to pass multiple tests just to learn the basics of tech. CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ covers the critical fundamentals of technology in a single exam.”
The launch of the new certification exam (FC0-U61) is accompanied by the availability of Official CompTIA Content, including “The Official CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Instructor and Student Guides” for instructor-led training, and “The Official CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Study Guide” for self-paced study.
Additional resources such as labs, CompTIA’s new comprehensive eLearning product CertMaster Learn and CompTIA’s adaptive test prep software CertMaster Practice will be available later this fall.
