CompTIA, also known as the Computing Technology Industry Association, is one of the world’s premier organizations for IT training. Its aim is to fill the demand for essential IT skills and knowledge across various global industries as well as at different levels of seniority.
Indeed, there is great demand for qualified IT users outside of higher-tier and specialist roles. Even non-technical departments are now heavily supported by IT products and services, while managers and executives are increasingly expected to be able to give proper consideration to IT when forming organizational strategy. Regardless of a candidate’s career choice or even what stage they are at in their career, there can be a great deal to gain from studying IT.
With this in mind,
CompTIA has always been eager to accommodate newcomers to IT. This includes pre-career candidates as well as professionals interested in switching to a new career. CompTIA has a number of courses ideal for learning the skills that form the foundation for a career in IT, leaving candidates well-rounded and far more desirable for employers and recruiters.
In this article, we explore each of the options provided in the CompTIA Core Skills Certification Pathway.
What Does the CompTIA Core Skills Certification Pathway Include?
The CompTIA Core Skills Pathway includes courses that provide candidates with foundational knowledge for IT work. The courses are not necessarily role-specific, though many help candidates build technical skills and knowledge in more specific areas.
No CompTIA course exams have prerequisites, and they can be taken in any order. However, candidates are still advised to check the recommended knowledge and experience for individual exams before booking.
CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
CompTIA Fundamentals (ITF+) covers the basic knowledge and skills for working in IT. It is the only pre-career certification to help students and career changers determine their suitability for a career in IT and takes a uniquely broad approach that makes it highly relevant even for non-technical professionals.
For those interested in further-pursuing IT-focused careers, this qualification also establishes a strong framework for continued education.
CompTIA A+
Described by CompTIA itself as the “industry standard for establishing a career in IT”,
CompTIA A+ covers how to support all core technologies, services, and functions. The qualification is uniquely performance-based, focusing on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking to work in end-point management and technical support roles.
The A+ syllabus is regularly updated to continue focusing on the core skills and abilities demanded by the current IT industry. This includes current best practices for scripting, documentation, change management, data backup and recovery, and so on. The syllabus is system-agnostic, covering a variety of options such as Windows, Linux, and Mac. This also applies to hardware, as the qualification looks at how to configure and support PC, mobiles, and IoT devices.
According to PayScale, the average base salary for a CompTIA A+ practitioner is approximately $65,000.
Relevant roles include:
- Information Technology (IT) Manager
- Systems Administrator
- Information Technology (IT) Director
- Information Technology (IT) Support Specialist
- Network Engineer
- Information Technology Specialist
- Network Administrator
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Network+ focuses on providing foundational knowledge of working with IT infrastructure, including how to troubleshoot, configure, and manage networks. Passing the exam validates both a candidate’s knowledge and technical skills across virtually any platform.
Like with other options within the Core Skills Certification Pathway, the syllabus for Network+ is also updated on a regular basis. This is to guarantee that successful candidates have the hands-on skills and precise approach required to succeed in IT infrastructure roles.
According to PayScale, the average base salary for Network+ practitioners is approximately $70,000.
Relevant roles include:
- Systems Administrator
- Information Technology (IT) Manager
- Network Engineer
- Network Administrator
- Information Technology (IT) Director
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ focuses on baseline cybersecurity skills. Candidates learn how to perform common yet essential security functions, preparing them for both potentially lucrative job roles and further training.
While Security+ is a cybersecurity qualification, it is suitable for a variety of job roles. This is simply due to the relevance of cybersecurity in almost all roles related to secure software and hardware. The qualification is also aligned with core knowledge for risk management and assessment, incident response, enterprise networks, forensics, cloud and hybrid operations, and security controls.
The breadth and relevance of Security+ have made it extremely popular. CompTIA itself states that Security+ is chosen by more corporations and defense organizations than any other certification on the market to validate baseline security skills and fulfill DoD 8570 compliance targets.
According to PayScale, the average base salary for CompTIA Security+ practitioners is approximately $78,000.
Relevant roles include:
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Systems Administrator
- Network Engineer
- Information Security Analyst
- Cyber Security Engineer
