MLB and McCormicks Welcome Back Veterans Program Extends to IT Career Support
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., February 17, 2009, The CompTIA Educational Foundation received a $210,000 grant from Major League Baseball and the McCormick Foundation to expand its Creating Futures' outreach to disabled veterans.
The Foundation's Creating Futures program provides free training and certification opportunities to populations who have historically been under-represented in the information technology (IT) workforce, including U.S. veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, minorities, at-risk youth and dislocated workers. Creating Futures works directly with employers to identify their hiring needs, then tailors its training to help individuals obtain the skills employers require.
The grant is part of Major League Baseball and the McCormick Foundation's Welcome Back Veterans program, a national public awareness and fundraising initiative that addresses the mental health and employment needs of America's returning war veterans and their families. Created by New York Mets Chairman and CEO Fred Wilpon and private citizens, Welcome Back Veterans is supported by Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball Advanced Media and the McCormick Foundation.
"With this generous grant, Creating Futures can help more disabled veterans become employed in the IT industry," said John Venator, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA Educational Foundation. "Our Armed Forces help prepare these brave men and women to handle any situation. Now with IT training and certification provided by Creating Futures, veterans can become incredibly valuable employees for the government and private technology sectors."
Veterans can apply for training online at www.comptiaeduationalfoundation.org. All candidate applications are screened before selected for the program. Training, mentoring, courseware, practice exams, and certification vouchers are provided at no cost. Program participants train toward CompTIA certifications which are known throughout the IT industry as reliable predictors of employee success and are therefore the best way to break into the IT field and build a solid career.
Creating Futures participants communicate directly with Foundation staff to determine which of the four IT certification training courses, CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, and Security+, are right for them. Participants have the option to take one or all four of the training courses.
Communication with Foundation staff is on-going to ensure that individuals complete the training within the required 90 days. After the 90 days, practice exams are provided, and individuals take their certification exams within two to three weeks.
"Programs like Creating Futures give our veterans a way to open the door to a long-term career in a vibrant industry," said Brig. Gen. (Ret.) David L. Grange, president and chief executive officer of the McCormick Foundation. "Welcome Back Veterans is driven by the profound need to provide returning veterans the quality medical treatment and long-term employment assistance they deserve to restart their lives and care for their families."
The McCormick Foundation continues to accept and encourages donations to Welcome Back Veterans. Major League Baseball and the McCormick Foundation are paying all expenses associated with this initiative, so 100 percent of the funds raised, plus the matching dollars, will go to programs and services for veterans. Contributions are accepted online at www.WelcomeBackVeterans.org.
About the CompTIA Educational Foundation The CompTIA Educational Foundation provides career opportunities for populations who historically have been under-represented in the IT workforce. With the support of individuals, industry leaders, companies and the government, the Foundation creates programs aimed at helping veterans transitioning out of the military, at-risk youth, women, minorities, dislocated workers, and individuals with disabilities to obtain the technical and business skills employers require. Since its creation in 1998, the Foundation has helped more than 1,000 individuals enter the IT workforce, helping the industry alleviate its shortage of skilled workers. For more information or to make a donation to the CompTIA Educational Foundation, visit http://www.creatingfutures.us/.
About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world's information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.comptia.org.
About the McCormick Foundation The McCormick Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our free, democratic society by investing in children, communities and country. Through its five grantmaking programs, Cantigny Park and Golf, and three world-class museums, the Foundation helps build a more active and engaged citizenry. It was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation's largest charities, with more than $1 billion in assets. For more information, visit www.McCormickFoundation.org.
About Major League Baseball Charities Major League Baseball Charities is a not-for-profit corporation that provides support to local, national and international tax- exempt organizations to directly conduct or sponsor activities for the promotion of good health, physical education, public safety, medical research, literacy, educational or charitable purposes. In addition to supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), the Official Charity of Major League Baseball, MLB Charities provides support to a number of other national charitable initiatives, including Little League Baseball, the National Urban League and the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball pays all administrative expenses for MLB Charities.