CompTIA Educational Foundation Bestows 2009 Awards During Breakaway Conference

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Each of these honorees not only provides financial resources for Creating Futures but also volunteers their time to help lead our program development. Without them, we could not grow and reach more individuals in need.

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) August 6, 2009

The CompTIA Educational Foundation presents its Creating Futures Awards to information technology (IT) and philanthropic leaders at a special breakfast during CompTIA Breakaway 2009 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas today.

Presenting the awards, Gary Gillam, vice president of channel operations, Xerox, and board member of the CompTIA Educational Foundation, and John Venator, president and CEO, CompTIA Educational Foundation, commend the honorees for their support of the Foundation's Creating Futures program. Creating Futures provides free IT training and certification opportunities to populations who have historically been under-represented in the IT workforce, including U.S. veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, minorities, at-risk youth and dislocated workers. The 2009 honorees include:

• Hewlett Packard - Lifetime Donor Recognition: As founding supporters of Creating Futures, both financially and through extensive volunteer support, HP executives participated in the original strategy development of the program. HP has donated major cash gifts and training seats every year to Creating Futures and provided funding to the Foundation's endowment that grants merit award scholarships each year to deserving students pursuing IT careers.
• Major League Baseball & McCormick Foundation - Lead Donor Recognition: Creating Futures received its single largest cash donation in 2008 from a joint program between Major League Baseball and the McCormick Foundation. The grant is part of Welcome Back Veterans, a national public awareness and fundraising initiative that addresses the mental health and employment needs of America's returning war veterans and their families.
• ExamForce - Lead In-Kind Services Donor Recognition: Following up last year's generous donation, ExamForce donated more online IT training and test preparation software to Creating Futures in March. In particular this year's donation allowed the Foundation to reach more military veterans and supply them with free IT training to help them secure IT careers.
• Pearson VUE - Lead Corporate Support Recognition: Pearson VUE donates the test exams that validate Creating Futures participants' IT knowledge and skills. Upon passing the exams, Creating Futures participants then receive their official CompTIA certification -- which are known throughout the industry as reliable predictors of employee success and are therefore the best way to break into the IT field and build a solid career.
• Robert Half International - Corporate Volunteer Service Recognition: Since Creating Futures began, Robert Half has encouraged its staff to interview and place into employment graduates of the program. Robert Half executives also have introduced the Foundation to other non-profits to form strategic partnerships and expand Creating Futures nationwide.
• Fast Forward - Outstanding Program Partner Recognition: Fast Forward, a community technology center, helps to develop the core IT skills needed by residents in the Midland area of South Carolina. With a shared vision of helping people in need attain the skills to succeed in the 21st century, Fast Forward leverages its resources and partners with numerous local business and government agencies to further IT growth for South Carolina businesses and citizens.

"Through leading donors and partners such as these generous honorees, the CompTIA Educational Foundation is enabling people to change their lives for the better while advancing the global IT industry," said John Venator, president and CEO, CompTIA Educational Foundation. "Each of these honorees not only provides financial resources for Creating Futures but also volunteers their time to help lead our program development. Without them, we could not grow and reach more individuals in need."

"Our requests for services, particularly from U.S. military veterans, are at an all-time high, and even in this recession, jobs for IT professionals remain open. Creating Futures fills that gap, helping underserved areas of the population achieve IT careers while diversifying the IT workforce," added Venator.

Donations to the CompTIA Educational Foundation can be in cash, equipment or training seats. All gifts are 100 percent tax-deductible. Individuals and companies can make a donation to the program, and prospective participants can apply for training by visiting the Foundation's website, http://www.CompTIA-EF.org.    

About the CompTIA Educational Foundation
The CompTIA Educational Foundation provides career opportunities for individuals who historically have been under-represented in the IT workforce. 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.CompTIA-EF.org.

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 http://www.CompTIA.org.

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