The Computing Technology Industry Association's Education Foundation is offering free technical training and certification for entry-level IT jobs as part of an effort to entice more people into the tech sector. The Creating Futures program's aim is to stimulate interest in technology careers among military veterans, women, minorities, the disabled and at-risk youth by offering a direct path to an internship and employment with some major IT vendors.

One of the program's primary missions is to help mitigate the looming IT worker shortage that many companies are starting to face, says Susan Underhill, vice president of Hewlett-Packard's Global Solution Partners Organization. "The number of people entering high tech is shrinking," Underhill says. "There aren't a lot of people entering and the smart ones are getting out. We need people with more skills, not less."

Creating Futures takes people with some or no computer skills and trains them as computer technicians in the areas of break-fix or warranty repairs. Candidates apply via an online assessment tool - the Tech Career Compass - that determines their computer-skill level. Then the candidate is trained, certified and given an internship through the support of the more than 10 vendors associated with the program.

For instance, HP's Global Solution Partners Organization provides training and certification, then places a participant with an HP channel partner. If the candidate successfully completes the internship, a permanent position with the partner may follow. "That is what the program is all about, getting training and experience," says Underhill. "Experience is so critical, especially in the IT world."

Still is in its early stages the project is now conducting pilot programs, including one with the U.S. Navy in Jacksonville, Fla., and another with the Chicago Lighthouse, an organization that helps the blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled to live more independently. A number of vendors have pledged support through donations, materials and expertise. These include HP, the Ricoh Company, Giant Campus, a technology training and consulting provider focusing on youth and the U.S. Armed Forces, and Global Mentoring Solutions, which provides on-demand support services.

Eventually, CompTIA hopes to evolve Creating Futures into a more centralized organization so that funds are not consumed by redundant, regionalized infrastructures. Thus far, about 100 people have gone through the program. "I envision the training and re-tooling of thousands of people a year," says Underhill. "That is when I believe we will be aligned with our original charter."

While Creating Futures is focused on IT technician jobs, its backers hope such entry-level experience can be the foundation for higher-level positions. "There is getting to be a supply and demand issue," says Jack Downing, Chicago-based leader of search firm World Bridge Partners' technology group. "Companies are feeling a gap. That 'do more with less' mantra is like Elvis. It has left the building."

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