Manufacturing companies across Illinois are now eligible for financial assistance to have their technology workers trained and professionally certified by the Computing Technology Industry Association, the leading trade association for the world’s information technology (IT) industry, CompTIA announced today.

The financial assistance is available through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) ETIP Program, and administered through the University of Illinois Business and Industry Services (U of I-BIS) in Naperville.

Eligible companies can qualify for a savings of up to 50 percent off the costs of books, instruction, materials, and technology used to prepare employees to sit for CompTIA certification exams. CompTIA certification programs are the recognized industry standards for a broad range of technology skills. Nearly one million technology professionals around the world are CompTIA certified.

“The reason that so many individuals seek our certifications, and why so many organizations require or strongly recommend them for their IT staffs, is because CompTIA certifications help make IT operations run more efficiently,” said Neill Hopkins, vice president, skills development, CompTIA. “Efficient IT operations help the business run more optimally, and that has a positive impact on the company’s financial bottom line.”

“Utilizing the combination of DCEO grant funding programs and excellent IT training from the U of I, we are able to provide the opportunity to our employees to increase their knowledge and skills, thus contributing to the company’s leadership position in serving our customers,” said Orville Howard, manager, IT systems and operations, Sloan Valve Company, Franklin Park, Ill., a world-class manufacturer of plumbing products and systems.

The U of I-BIS is committed to building and maintaining Illinois’ global competitiveness through the growth of a highly skilled workforce. U of I-BIS has helped over 6,000 organizations for 24 years. They provide customized training and consulting services, as well as public workshops and certificate programs. With 80 professionals on staff, U of I-BIS specializes in company-wide strategic business improvement solutions.

For more information about the grant funding available to Illinois manufacturing companies, visit www.bis.uiuc.edu/grants.html.

For more information about CompTIA certifications, visit http://certification.comptia.org/.

About CompTIA

In 2007, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Just as the IT industry it serves has grown, CompTIA has also enjoyed remarkable growth over the past 25 years. The organization was founded by representatives of five micro-computer dealerships working together to find better ways to do business. Today, CompTIA has more than 22,000 member companies in over 100 countries around the world; and serves as the voice of the world’s $1 trillion-plus IT industry. CompTIA is committed to advancing the long-term success and growth of the IT industry by helping organizations maximize the benefits they receive from their investments in technology; and by helping individuals to obtain the skills and credentials they need for productive careers in IT. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.

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