CONCORD — This spring, NHTI, Concord’s Community College, will launch three new Information Technology (IT) certificate programs. These new programs are all designed to help students prepare efficiently for professional certification and qualify for entry level to mid-range jobs in the IT field. Classes can be taken day or evening, or up to 100% online.
IT Hardware and Software Certificate
This program consists of four courses which form the common core of all IT curricula. It provides students with the basic hardware and software skills needed to obtain work in PC repair or entry level help desk positions, while developing communication and critical thinking skills valued by all employers. This certificate also provides a foundation for further IT study. Students who complete these courses will be eligible to test for an industry-recognized certificate:
- A+
IT Entry Level Networking Certificate
This program consists of four courses which provide students with the basic networking, PC hardware and software, and database skills needed to obtain entry level network technician or computer support positions. Students who complete these courses will be eligible to test for two widely-recognized industry certificates:
- A+
- Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
IT VoIP (Voice Over IP) Certificate
Voice over IP (VoIP) is a methodology and group of technologies for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over networks. The IT VoIP Certificate consists of five advanced lT courses which train the student in the configuration, delivery and maintenance of VoIP services. This certificate stacks naturally on top of the IT Entry Level Networking Certificate, and also serves other workers and students who are already at the CCENT level. Students who complete these courses will be eligible to test for two widely-recognized industry certificates:
- CCNA Routing and Switching
- CCNA Security
Upon successful testing, graduates will be in demand for professional networking positions in a variety of companies.
There is a growing demand for IT professionals in New Hampshire. The table below shows the number of jobs available in the state in range of IT fields during one month last summer, with salary estimates and projected job growth over the next seven years.
| # of Open Jobs in July 20151 | Salaries2 | Job Growth thru 20223 | |
| Jobs requiring A+ certification | 65 | $41,000 (median) | 22.7% |
| Network technicians | 100+ | $37,000 (starting) | 7.4% |
| Network administrators | 90+ (incl. 17 VoIP) | $60,000 (starting) | 12.8% |
| 1Job listings on Indeed.com 2Salary.com survey 3www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi/products/proj.htm | |||
These three certificates are just the first of eleven new programs NHTI plans to offer under a program sponsored in part by a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration (TAACCCT), #TC-26498-14-60-A-33. NHTI’s Information Technology department also offers a two-year Associate Degree program, and certificate programs in tech support and applications development.
For more information about NHTI’s Information Technology program contact department head Tom Laurie at (603) 271-6484 x4320 or tlaurie@ccsnh.edu.
NHTI, Concord’s Community College, is a fully accredited, public community college serving students, businesses and the community by providing excellent academic, technical and professional education. NHTI offers over 70 academic programs to more than 6,000 students. NHTI is a member of the Community College System of New Hampshire.