“When the San Diego Futures Foundation (SDFF) contacted us about their youth training and employment program, I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for our students,” advised San Diego Job Corps Career Transition Specialist Ann McPherson.  “One of their programs affords our Computer Tech students the opportunity to prepare for CompTIA A+ certification.  Another program would assist our Office Administration students further enhance their skills with Microsoft Office Specialist certification.”

The San Diego Futures Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to change lives in San Diego County by making information technology available to underserved individuals, organizations and disadvantaged small businesses through training, education, technical services and equipment.  Since 2000 SDFF has donated more than 27,000 computers and 30,000 hours of technical services to more than 1,000 San Diego’s non-profits, community-based organizations, 4,000 individuals and families.

On September 14, 2011, Daniel Romero, SDFF’s Training and Employment Manager, provided nearly 100 Job Corps students with information about Network of Emerging Opportunities (NEO) IT training at the San Diego Job Corps Center.  The NEO program was instituted in June 2011 as a result of a $300,000 grant from the Gary and Mary West Foundation.  The grant offers job development services to low-income youth ages 18-24, to help non-college-bound youth obtain the skills they need for entry-level jobs as computer and network technicians that can lead to more advanced positions and careers in the IT field.

During the presentation Mr. Romero advised that NEO is a free training, certification, and employment program where students will dedicate an estimated 9 months towards accomplishing all program benchmarks (training, certification, internships, and job readiness).

After outlining the requirements to qualify for the program, several students expressed an interest in the program.  “I was impressed by the students’ questions and their IT knowledge,” Mr. Romero stated.  “Their interest in the computer technology alone makes them great candidates for the training.  We are looking for career oriented young people who are driven by technology and are committed to continuing their IT education,” he continued.  “The more knowledge they have, the better off they will be in this ever-changing, growing industry.”