Worldwide, Microsoft Program to Help Service Members Gain Job Skills Expands to Include CompTIA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Campus’ partnership with Microsoft Corp., has taken yet another step forward by including CompTIA’s industry-leading Information Technology (IT) certifications as a way for active duty and military veteran students to gain admission into the Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA) program.
As announced Aug. 22, CompTIA, the world's leading technology association, has joined with Microsoft Corp. on this flagship program – of which Embry-Riddle Worldwide is an academic partner – to make it easier for more than 35,000 United States service members to transition from active duty to high-paying, high-demand jobs in the civilian IT workforce.
CompTIA said two of its vendor-neutral skills certifications – CompTIA Network+ and Security+ – are now accepted as prerequisites by MSSA, an intensive 18-week training program that teaches transitioning service members the critical IT skills required for today's growing technology industry careers with online, classroom and hands-on learning. Upon successful completion of the MSSA program, graduates are guaranteed a job interview at Microsoft or one of its more than 220 hiring partners.
“This is an exciting new opportunity for our military and veteran students wanting to move into careers as Information Technology professionals,” said Embry-Riddle Worldwide Assistant Professor Mike Wills, who academically directs the MSSA program. “Earning this vendor-neutral certificate on the way into MSSA adds incredible value to the student’s portfolio of stackable, portable skills and credentials, and CompTIA provides this opportunity at substantial savings to the veteran. And for those who’ve already earned their CompTIA certification while in government service, it simplifies and streamlines their application to the program.”
Embry-Riddle Worldwide serves more than 23,000 students online and at 125 campuses in the United States and globally including 17,000 active-duty and student veterans. The university’s tradition of educating service members began in 1970 at Fort Rucker in Alabama and has grown to include base locations in Europe, the Middle East, Japan and South Korea.
“Our MSSA partnership with Microsoft keeps growing, and this new relationship with CompTIA moves the program another step forward,” said Embry-Riddle Worldwide Chancellor Dr. John R. Watret. “We’re excited and proud to be an academic provider for this innovative program.”
For more information, go to worldwide.erau.edu/Microsoft.
For previous releases, stories and announcements about the MSSA, go to the university’s Newsroom at news.erau.edu.