Rockland Community College has received a grant valued at $30,000 from the national nonprofit Jobs for the Future to offer a Google IT Support Professional program leading to certification by CompTIA, the industry standard for computer support technicians. RCC was selected to launch the program, in partnership with Google and CompTIA’s authorized academy program.
The grant includes $15,000 each for funding and for resources, such as access to Google IT modules. The program includes an innovative curriculum from Google and CompTIA designed to prepare students for an entry-level role in IT support, which can mean in-person or remote help desk work at a small business or large enterprise. Through a mix of live and video lectures, quizzes and hands-on labs, this certificate program will introduce students to troubleshooting and customer service, networking, operating systems, systems administration and security.
IT support is a fast-growing field that is projected to grow 11 percent between 2016 and 2026 – faster than the average for all other occupations. In 2017 the median salary for an IT support professional was $52,810, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The RCC classes begin in January 2019 and will be conducted at the college’s main campus in Suffern and at its Haverstraw Center. The program, part of RCC’s Middle Skills Academy, is offered on the following course schedules: Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm. for eight weeks; or Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 5:45 – 10 pm for 15 weeks. Course cost is $3,999; discounts may be available, based on student eligibility.
“At Rockland Community College, we recognize that there is a high demand to fill ‘middle-skills’ jobs, which require more education and training than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree,” said Dr. Penny Jennings, executive director of Professional Development at RCC. “To this end, we are focused on offering programs, such as Google IT Support, that fit the needs of employers and workers. We expect great success for the 25 students in the January 2019 inaugural class.”
Jobs for the Future helps state and community colleges collaborate with community partners to align policies and practices to develop structured academic pathways into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers that require less than a four-year degree.
Register for RCC’s IT Support Professional program at: www.sunyrockland.edu/go/pdregister
For further information, contact Dr. Penny Jennings at pjenning@sunyrockland.edu, 845-574-4323 or 845-574-4518.
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