CompTIA A+ Partner Update October 21, 2015

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CompTIA A+ Partner Update

(2)

Agenda

• Cer;ﬁca;on Update

• Industry & Job Role Changes

• Cer;ﬁca;on Changes

• Posi;oning & Compe;;ve Comparisons

• Key Dates

• Marke;ng and Promo;ons

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WHY CHANGE IT AT ALL?

Industry changes

à

job role changes

à

cerCﬁcaCon

changes

(4)

The IT Industry and Jobs

Source: Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights, October 2015

ONET Code Core IT OccupaCons # PosCngs Q3 2015 # PosCngs Q3 2014 # Change % Change 11-‐3021.00 Computer & Informa;on Systems Managers 14,871 9,876 4,995 51% 15-‐1111.00 Computer & Informa;on Research Scien;sts 6,782 3,315 3,467 105% 15-‐1121.00-‐.01 Computer Systems Analysts & Informa;cs Specialists 89,557 52,598 36,959 70% 15-‐1122.00 Informa;on Security Analysts 31,284 14,533 16,751 115%

15-‐1131.00 Computer Programmers 42,538 20,961 21,577 103%

15-‐1132.00 So\ware Developers, Applica;ons 286,364 144,537 141,827 98% 15-‐1133.00 So\ware Developers, Systems So\ware 35,591 18,397 17,194 93%

15-‐1134.00 Web Developers 51,423 25,273 26,150 103%

15-‐1141.00 Database Administrators 54,352 27,040 27,312 101%

15-‐1142.00 Network & Computer Systems Administrators 54,509 29,664 24,845 84%

15-‐1143.00-‐.01 Computer Network Architects & Telecom Engineers 21,432 10,615 10,817 102%

15-‐1151.00 Computer User Support Specialists 53,293 28,704 24,589 86% 15-‐1152.00 Computer Network Support Specialists 5,151 2,869 2,282 80%

15-‐1199.00 -‐.12 Computer Occupa;ons, All Other* 249,756 143,670 106,086 74%

17-‐2061.00 Computer Hardware Engineers 2,444 1,475 969 66%

49-‐2011.00 Computer, Automated Teller, & Oﬃce Machine Repairers 2,226 1,507 719 48%

(5)

Found across the naCon

5

If you want to take a closer

look at your state or MSA,

visit:

hdps://www.comp;a.org/

resources/mapping-‐the-‐it-‐

workforce

(6)

But what do they need to know?

5%

7%

10%

11%

12%

16%

22%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Permissions / Directory services

Cloud technologies

Ticke;ng systems

Repair

Mobility

Migra;ng data / informa;on

Security

PC conﬁgura;on

App / applica;on management

Troubleshoo;ng

(7)

A+ Job Roles

Related job role

(from A+ JTA)

DescripCons from Indeed.com and Dice.com

Help desk technician

Resolve login issues, provide support for migra;ng data between PCs and mobile devices. Should be able to modify configura;ons, u;li;es, so\ware default sefngs, etc. for the local worksta;on and mobile devices. Must be able to document and maintain the helpdesk tracking so\ware. Must be able to install, test and configure new worksta;ons, peripheral equipment and so\ware, as well as mobile devices. Should also be able to manage user configura;on and permissions issues. Must have the ability to troubleshoot applica;on, app, and opera;ng system issues.

Service desk analyst

Fields service desk calls. Resolves approximately 65% of problems upon ﬁrst contact and referring advanced problems and requests to the appropriate technicians. Proﬁcient in PCs, mobile devices, and fundamental networking. Ability to track customer calls and record detailed and accurate informa;on in Service Desk issue tracking system in a ;mely manner. Can monitor ;ckets entered into the service desk.

Technical support specialist

The ability to conﬁgure PCs, including those that run Windows and Macintosh. Also the ability to understand fundamental rou;ng and network conﬁgura;on issues. Knowledge of back-‐end server systems such as Windows and Linux preferred. Must have experience with Windows Domain architecture and Ac;ve Directory. Proven troubleshoo;ng ability a must..

Field support technician

Perform support with direc;on from analyst level personnel, which may include installa;on, configura;on, and troubleshoo;ng of desktop so\ware. Examples include: Windows 7, MS Office Products, Adobe, and An;virus, as well as Macintosh OS/X. Must also be able to receive, inventory, and install new equipment, process surplus IT equipment leaving environment. Will also par;cipate in projects such as rollouts, projects, adds and moves. Will configure and manage laptops, desktops, and mobile phones.

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EssenCal help desk / tech support skills

§

 

Mul;ple plalorms / systems / computers ;ed to one user

–

 

PC / notebook

–

 

Mobile phone / tablet / wearable tech

§

 

More opera;ng systems

–

 

Windows

–

 

Mac OS / iOS

–

 

Linux / Android

§

 

Authen;ca;on

§

 

Cloud-‐based systems and virtualiza;on

§

 

Emphasis on

users accessing data

, rather than a machine

31%

Authen;ca;on

/ Directory

issues

53%

Troubleshoo;ng

access to data

14%

PC / Notebook

(9)

Networking and the help desk

§

 

Why is networking such a large

component in A+?

§

 

Is it a ques;on of scope creep?

§

 

Is it “cru\?”

–

 

Stuﬀ that has built up over ;me

–

 

“Waxy yellow buildup”

–

 

Happens with mature

products – from so\ware to certs

–

 

What are we seeing, here?

§

 

A change in the job role!

No longer suppor;ng the device . . . It’s now about

the user and their ability to connect

to

data

(10)

The help desk and company security

§

 

Security is not simply le\ to

the security professionals, or

to those in the server room,

the data center or the cloud

§

 

Lines of defense – and

response – include:

–

 

The end user

(cyber security training)

–

 

The help desk / service desk

–

 

Server, router, and

datacenter technicians

(11)

There’s a greater variety of devices to support

• Greater emphasis on

mobile device mgmt

– hardware and

applica;ons

• Increased variety of

opera;ng systems

covered – Windows,

yes, but also

Apple

,

Linux

, iOS, Android

and

Windows Mobile

220-‐801 PC Hardware 40% Networking 27% Laptops 11% Printers 11% Opera;onal Procedures 11% 220-‐802 Opera;ng Systems 33% Security 22% Mobile Devices 9% Troubleshoo;ng 36% 220-‐901 Hardware 34% Networking 21% Mobile Devices 17%

Hardware & Network Troubleshoo;ng 28%

220-‐902

Windows Opera;ng Systems 29%

Other OperaCng Systems and Technologies 12%

Security 22%

So\ware Troubleshoo;ng 24% Opera;onal Procedures 13%

(12)

Security is not just for the Security Administrator

• 

The help desk

professional is at the

front-‐line of

organiza;onal

informa;on assurance

• 

Security-‐related

objec;ves go “deeper”

and exist throughout

the exam domains

220-‐801 PC Hardware 40% Networking 27% Laptops 11% Printers 11% Opera;onal Procedures 11% 220-‐802 Opera;ng Systems 33% Security 22% Mobile Devices 9% Troubleshoo;ng 36% 220-‐901 Hardware 34% Networking 21% Mobile Devices 17% Hardware & Network Troubleshoo;ng 28%

220-‐902

Windows Opera;ng Systems 29% Other Opera;ng Systems and Technologies 12%

Security 22%

So\ware Troubleshoo;ng 24% Opera;onal Procedures 13%

(13)

Infrastructure is increasingly complex

• 

The complexity and

rapidity of technical

changes increase the

complexity of IT

management

• 

Organiza;ons need IT

generalists with both

a broad and deep

founda;onal

understanding of tech

220-‐801 PC Hardware 40% Networking 27% Laptops 11% Printers 11% Opera;onal Procedures 11% 220-‐802 Opera;ng Systems 33% Security 22% Mobile Devices 9% Troubleshoo;ng 36% 220-‐901 Hardware 34% Networking 21% Mobile Devices 17%

Hardware & Network TroubleshooCng 28%

220-‐902

Windows Opera;ng Systems 29%

Other OperaCng Systems and Technologies 12%

Security 22%

Sohware TroubleshooCng 24%

(14)

Consumers set expectaCons for problem resoluCon

• 

A “genius-‐bar”

mentality to problem

resolu;on with an

increased demand for

fast and accurate

problem solving

• 

Exams “build” to the

troubleshoo;ng

domains

220-‐801 PC Hardware 40% Networking 27% Laptops 11% Printers 11% Opera;onal Procedures 11% 220-‐802 Opera;ng Systems 33% Security 22% Mobile Devices 9% Troubleshoo;ng 36% 220-‐901 Hardware 34% Networking 21% Mobile Devices 17%

Hardware & Network TroubleshooCng 28%

220-‐902

Windows Opera;ng Systems 29% Other Opera;ng Systems and Technologies 12%

Security 22%

Sohware TroubleshooCng 24%

(15)

CompTIA A+ 900 Series Summary

• TroubleshooCng

takes center stage

• Mobile coverage

is broadened

• Cybersecurity

coverage is

deepened

• Greater

diversity of technologies

,

including cloud, virtualiza;on, Linux

and the Mac OS

Visit the partner portal to download

detailed comparison documents

(16)

POSITIONING & COMPETITIVE

COMPARISON

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A+ percepCon versus reality

If you have the words “PC” or “repair” in your A+ course

descrip;on . . . please reconsider!

(18)

Opens the door

$70,000

Average

salary for

IT pros with a

CompTIA A+

cert

$48,900

Average

salary for

computer

support

specialists

It pays to

be

cer;ﬁed!

IT cer;ﬁca;ons oﬀer

veriﬁca;on of an

employee’s skills, paving

the way for career

advancement

(19)

Many job Ctles

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1.  Help Desk Analyst

2.  Help Desk Technician

3.  Technical Support Specialist

4.  Geek Squad Agent

5.  Technical Support Engineer

6.  Desktop Support Technician

7.  Informa;on Technology Technician

8.  Help Desk Specialist

9.  PC Technician

10.  Help Desk Support

11.  Desktop Support

12.  Applica;ons Analyst

13.  Technical Support Analyst

14.  Desktop Support Analyst

15.  Technical Support Representa;ve

16.  Computer Technician

17.  Help Desk

18.  Desktop Technician

19.  Informa;on Technology Support Specialist

20.  Applica;ons Engineer

Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights, Jan-‐Jun 2015

Top 20 ;tles for

computer support

job pos;ngs

“What is the job role?”

(20)

(21)

Why employers care

CompTIA-‐cer;ﬁed professionals

outperform

those without

cer;ﬁca;on in cri;cal job-‐related ac;vi;es

(22)

Global adopCon

(23)

A+ compeCCve landscape

23

CompTIA A+

HDI Support Center

_Analyst

MCSA

MTA -‐ Infrastructure

Target Audience

Those in, or preparing for, an entry-‐level job in IT. Job ;tles include:

•  IT Support/Help Desk Analyst

•  Technical Support Specialist

•  Field Service Technician

Technical professionals who provide front-‐line user support

Those specializing in oﬀering Microso\-‐speciﬁc solu;ons

Those who are entering the Microso\ cer;ﬁca;on program. Recommended as ﬁrst step, not required.

Unique Characteris;c

•  Vendor-‐neutral

•  Validates skills required for a job in IT

•  Predominantly assesses technical skills, but also process-‐oriented skills*

•  Focuses on communica;on and professionalism for customer support pros

•  Not a technical exam

•  Cer;ﬁca;on ;ed to speciﬁc products (e.g., MCSA Windows 8 or MCSA Server 2012)

•  Requires either 2 or 3 exams depending on product

•  A collec;on of 4 exams, each of which provides a broad-‐ based introduc;on to an IT domain

•  Func;ons as a gateway to Microso\’s product-‐centric cer;ﬁca;ons

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DATES & EXAM DETAILS

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The Fine Print

Exam Code 220-‐801 and 220-‐802 _{JK0-‐801 and JK0-‐802} 220-‐901 and 220-‐902 _{(Academy customers will use the same codes)} Launch Oct 2012 _{Dec 2012} December 15, 2015

No. of Ques;ons Maximum of 90 ques;ons per exam Maximum of 90 ques;ons Length of Test 90 minutes for each exam 90 minutes

Passing Score 220-‐801: 675 (on a scale of 900) _{220-‐802: 700 (on a scale of 900)} 220-‐801: 675 (on a scale of 900) _{220-‐802: 700 (on a scale of 900)} Availability Worldwide Worldwide

Languages English, Japanese, German, Thai, Spanish, _{Simpliﬁed Chinese, French, Arabic, Portuguese} English at Launch _{Japanese, Spanish, German and French in process}

Re;rement English Language – June 30, 2016 _{Other Languages -‐ December 31, 2016} TBD – Usually 3 years a\er launch

(26)

Many content partners

have stated their intent to

be ready at exam launch,

but it’s too early to have a

deﬁni;ve list. As items clear

CAQC we’ll post updates to

the partner portal and use

the CompTIA Instructor

Network to get the word

out.

A+ Learning Content Expected at Launch

(27)

PARTNER & INSTRUCTOR

RESOURCES

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CompTIA Instructor Network (CIN)

Who can parCcipate?

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The network is for instructors around the world who deliver or

intend to deliver training on CompTIA cer;ﬁca;on courses.

The instructors might be self-‐employed or working for:

• High schools, colleges, universi;es

• Professional training centers

• Publishers and content partners

• Corpora;ons

• Government agencies

Visit

www.comp;a.org/CIN

to join!

Any ques;ons email :

CIN@comp;a.org

Share best prac;ces and resources

with each other

Receive free training and tools from

CompTIA to enrich your training

Access resources for students to

understand the value of being

cer;ﬁed

Why Join?

Communicate and collaborate with

CompTIA staﬀ and other instructors

(29)

29

Deep Dive is a weekly webinar series

available to par;cipants in the CompTIA

Instructor Network. It goes beyond the

surface to look deeper at CompTIA

cer;ﬁca;ons.

Join the Network:

hdps://

www.linkedin.com/groups/CompTIA-‐

Instructor-‐Network-‐8350296/about

CompTIA Deep Dive: A Look Inside the A

+ 900 Series ObjecCves

Webinar Series begins

Wednesday, November 4

th

_{, 2015}

4:00 PM Central (CT), 9:00 PM Greenwich

Mean Time (GMT)

Agenda: Each week’s session will last

approximately 45 minute with 30 minutes

for informa;on presenta;on and 15 minutes

set aside for ques;ons and discussion about

the series and the weekly content.

(30)

Resource Centers

Partner MarkeCng & Sales Tools

30 30

Product Collateral Sales Guides

• Exam objec;ves

• Number of ques;ons

• Length of test

• Passing score • Languages • Exam code • Comparisons Ma rke Cn g Sale s Pro du ct

Product Info Product Flyers

• Corporate

• Government

• IT Professionals

• Student

• Academic

Logos & Brand Guidelines PresentaCons / Webinars / Video

Case Studies & TesCmonials

Sales Guide PosiConing Sheet

• English at launch

• Availability of Japanese, German, Spanish & French in 2016

(31)

MarkeCng Update

31

What’s Coming—Events

• Press Event in late Jan/early Feb

• Webinar in January

• Speaking Engagements at Industry Events

What’s Coming—Collateral & Resources

• Updated product web page on CompTIA.org (Nov 15)

• Press Release

• Updated Partner Portal Content (Oct 15)

• Social Media: Snackable Content

What’s Coming—PromoCons

• Learner Campaigns: Finish-‐Up if training for 800 series

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A+ Useful Links

32

Product Collateral Sales Guides

LinkedIn

•  CompTIA Instructor Network: hpps://www.linkedin.com/grp/home?gid=8350296

•  CompTIA CerCﬁed Professionals Group: hpps://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=143484&trk=anet_ug_hm

•  CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+: hpps://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2560157&trk=anet_ug_hm

Facebook Network+ Page: hdps://www.facebook.com/CompTIANetworkPlus

Twi<er •  @CompTIA: hdps://twider.com/comp;a

•  @TechCareersPlus: hdps://twider.com/techcareersplus

YouTube “CompTIA A+: Higher Salaries, BeHer OpportuniJes, Career Fulﬁllment”, “IT Career Test Drive” Series, “Taking a CompTIA Exam” and other videos: hdps://www.youtube.com/CompTIATV

Content Availability hdp://cer;ﬁca;on.comp;a.org/Training/studymaterials.aspx

Classroom Training Availability hdp://www.comp;astore.com/

hdp://cer;ﬁca;on.comp;a.org/Training/training.aspx

Exam Voucher Purchase hdp://www.comp;astore.com/

hdp://www.pearsonvue.com/vouchers/pricelist/comp;a.asp Exam RegistraCon Partner Portal hdp://home.pearsonvue.com/test-‐taker.aspx hdp://partners.comp;a.org/academy hdp://partners.comp;a.org/delivery hdp://partners.comp;a.org/content Social Media

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QUESTIONS?

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CompTIA A+ Partner Update October 21, 2015