One Maryland Workforce Development Office identified a critical opportunity to connect young adults (18-24) with in-demand IT work over the summer. However, the candidates needed additional technical skills preparation to succeed in these roles, as required by the hiring companies.
Challenge
The Office faced several key challenges:
- Local IT employers required the entry-level CompTIA ITF+ certification (now known as Tech+) for summer work opportunities
- Traditional CompTIA ITF+ training programs didn’t include content specific to IT Help Desk Etiquette
- Standard WIOA funding mechanisms couldn’t support training that wasn’t on Maryland’s Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)
Innovative Solutions
The Workforce Agency developed a strategic plan in partnership with UMBC Training Centers to create a customized training cohort with several innovative elements:
- Enhanced Curriculum: Developed IT Help Desk Etiquette curriculum and merged it into the CompTIA ITF+ certification program
- Expanded Schedule: 45 training hours delivered over three weeks
- Comprehensive Resources: Provided lectures, books, practice tests, and exam vouchers
- Creative Funding: Utilized a Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) to classify the program as “pre-vocational” training, allowing WIOA funding despite CompTIA ITF+ not being on the ETPL
Of these, the most notable innovation was the funding mechanism. By leveraging a TEGL to justify using WIOA funds for “pre-vocational” training, the agency overcame a significant bureaucratic barrier. This creative approach allowed them to fund valuable training and create opportunities that would have otherwise been impossible.
Implementation
Once the strategy was defined, the Office of Workforce Development:
- Identified and vetted six participants aged 18-24
- Arranged direct pathways to summer employment with local IT companies upon successful completion
- Established metrics for evaluation to determine program effectiveness
UMBC Training Centers:
- Developed a custom course curriculum that integrated CompTIA ITF+ and IT Help Desk Etiquette content into one program.
- Gathered all necessary course materials including CompTIA official courseware, CyberVista practice tests and CompTIA ITF+ vouchers.
- Developed a custom training schedule that involved shorter training hours per day spread over several weeks and included dedicated exam practice sessions.
Results
This pilot program demonstrated significant success:
- All participants passed their ITF+ certification exam and gained valuable IT employment experience
- The County Workforce Office expressed high satisfaction with program quality and discussions for repeating and expanding the model are underway
- Potential expansion to include AI-focused cohorts in future iterations
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates how creative partnerships, customized training solutions, and innovative funding approaches can create powerful workforce development opportunities. This model shows promise for replication and expansion, potentially serving as a template for similar programs across other regions and technical disciplines.