The expected growth rate of tech industry jobs — 15 percent — also far exceeds all other industries, making the potential for wage growth and career advancement unprecedented.

Many employers today aren’t concerned if tech workers attended college. Rather, they care about whether tech workers have certifications, and how effectively they communicate and collaborate. With many entry-level positions, it’s possible for high school graduates to move directly into the tech workforce.

Despite the abundance of jobs available, many people looking to launch a tech career don’t know where to start.

That’s where Creating IT Futures comes in.

Creating IT Futures is a tech workforce nonprofit founded by CompTIA, a respected voice for the $5-trillion global IT ecosystem and the leading provider of vendor-neutral training and certifications

At Creating IT Futures, we believe tech careers should be accessible to everyone with the passion to pursue them — which is why we help displaced and underemployed service-sector workers transition into technology.

We also believe the tech industry should mirror society — which is why we work diligently to open career doors to people underrepresented traditionally, such as women, veterans and people of color.

Creating IT Futures offers a journey of tech career preparedness — ranging from the tween years and well into adulthood, igniting interest and providing pathways into successful careers.

Within the Chicagoland area, Creating IT Futures provides these programs:

• Encouraging young women to broaden their tech knowledge and confidence
  Our highly acclaimed TechGirlz program inspires middle- and high school girls to explore future careers by putting technology into their hands through free, project-based workshops that can be conducted in-person or online. To date, TechGirlz has served more than 15,000 girls around the country. Moreover, more than 82 percent of TechGirlz workshop participants said the experiences changed their minds positively about a future tech career.

Recently, TechGirlz has continued to expand programs for girls interested in tech by centralizing their efforts in Chicago with community workshops, camps, and school clubs. Programs are led by leaders in the industry, educators, and individuals, including teen volunteers.

TechGirlz’s programming is key to addressing gender inequalities earlier in the talent development pipeline. By introducing more young women to tech through fun and interactive workshops, TechGirlz broadens their awareness of potential career opportunities and increases their confidence. See https://www.techgirlz.org for more.

• Encouraging teenagers to consider a future in a tech career
  Creating IT Futures, in partnership with Best Buy, developed a test pilot with the arts-centric Little Black Pearl Art & Design Academy on the east side of Chicago. There, we are seeking to expand interest among high-school students in tech careers, and connect them to training, certification and future internships.
• IT-Ready Technical Support through CompTIA Tech Career Academy            IT-Ready Technical Support is our signature tech workplace-training program. In just eight weeks, IT-Ready prepares adults for entry-level tech career roles. No previous tech experience is necessary and participants need only possess a diploma or GED. Some 88 percent of IT-Ready graduates have secured full-time employment in the tech industry. Learn more at https://comptiatech.org

• Helping veterans transition into tech careers
  Veterans are under-represented within the tech industry, despite having a host of skills that make them excellent civilian workers — problem solving, integrity, flexibility, communication and experience collaborating within diverse teams. Working with the Cognizant U.S. Foundation, in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project and CompTIA, Creating IT Futures helps veterans gain digital skills necessary for in-demand tech careers. The campaign is reaching thousands of wounded warriors and their family members nationally with high-touch career counseling, plus training and/or career placement. Visit https://www.creatingitfutures.org/itready- 8-weeks of-intense-it-training-free-to vets.

As we move forward with strength in numbers and support, Creating IT Futures stands poised to help address our country’s continuing tech worker shortage — because career opportunities should be available to anyone with a drive to succeed.

The work of Creating IT Futures changes lives — for better, forever. Visit our website to learn more about Creating IT Futures, our work in your community, and how you might partner with us to bring new opportunities to people who want them.