{"id":128359,"date":"2022-12-19T13:09:51","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T21:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=128359"},"modified":"2022-12-19T13:09:53","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T21:09:53","slug":"3-ways-military-service-members-can-get-affordable-tech-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/3-ways-military-service-members-can-get-affordable-tech-training\/","title":{"rendered":"QuickStart Military Programs: Transitioning to the Civilian IT Workforce & Military Spouses Joining IT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Would you believe that the tech industry is the top employer of veterans? According to a study<\/a> by Findem, veterans and military service members constitute 32 percent of the industry\u2019s labor force. Among the leading companies actively hiring them are global names such as Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, Cisco, and Boeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what makes them suited to work in the tech industry? For one, they bring soft skills to the table that are essential to the tech industry. These include grit, leadership skills, agility, the ability to work in teams, and the capacity to withstand high-pressure work environments\u2014skills that recruiters often struggle to find in civilian applicants. Not to mention, many military service members come from IT and cybersecurity-oriented roles in the military, making them even more qualified for work in the tech sector after discharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, how exactly can veterans and military spouses break into the tech industry? The answer: QuickStart<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Ways to Change Careers from Military to IT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

QuickStart is an online IT skills training platform that seeks to bridge the talent shortage in the tech industry by helping interested learners, including military service members and military spouses, build their tech careers. QuickStart is approved to participate in three programs designed by the Department of Defense to make IT training more affordable and accessible to soldiers<\/a>, airmen<\/a>, and military spouses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Army CA Program Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The QuickStart Army Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) program<\/a> aims to help soldiers upskill or reskill in tech through programs approved by Army Credentialing Assistance (CA). These include bootcamp programs and training courses that prepare you for industry-recognized certification exams in cloud engineering, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, data science and analytics, IT management, and project management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An eligible soldier could spend up to $4,000 per year on education linked to their current Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or on developing new skills that could help them get a job in the private sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Is Eligible for the Army COOL Program?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Enlisted and officer military members of various ranks are eligible for the program. If you are an Active Duty Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard personnel, you could qualify for financial assistance of up to $4,000 from the Army Credentialing Assistance Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What QuickStart Programs Can You Enroll In?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
  1. Bootcamps<\/strong>
    1. Cybersecurity Bootcamp<\/li>
    2. Cloud Engineering Bootcamp<\/li>
    3. Data Science and Analytics Bootcamp<\/li>
    4. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Bootcamp<\/li><\/ol><\/li>
    5. Certification Programs<\/strong>
      1. CompTIA Security+\u00a0<\/li>
      2. CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)\u00a0<\/li>
      3. AWS Solutions Architect Associate\u00a0<\/li>
      4. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals<\/li>
      5. Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst\u00a0<\/li>
      6. ITIL 4 Foundations\u00a0<\/li>
      7. Essentials of Project Management (PMP-V6)\u00a0<\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        A complete list of the bootcamps and their respective certifications can be accessed here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        \nQuickStart is a certified tech training provider enabling military spouses and Army and Air Force service members to utilize their education benefits to upskill or join the tech industry.<\/p>\nLearn more here.<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
        \n\n\n\n

        2. Air Force COOL Program Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        QuickStart Air Force COOL program<\/a> is designed for airmen to advance their tech careers by utilizing their Air Force COOL education benefits to enroll in tech training and earn industry-recognized certifications. They can use $4,500 annually as part of their education-related costs related to their current MOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Who Is Eligible for the Air Force Cool Program?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        The program is open to active-duty airmen of regular Air Force, United States Space Force, Air Force Reserves, or Air National Guard under Title 10 or Title 32 active-duty orders. The Air Force COOL program is a Total Force enlisted program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How to Apply<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
        1. Schedule a call with a military admissions advisor.<\/li>
        2. Create an AFVEC account.<\/li>
        3. Choose which credentials to pursue.<\/li>
        4. Select QuickStart as your provider.<\/li>
        5. Get approval to start learning.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          What QuickStart Programs Can You Enroll In?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          The following are only some of the bootcamps and certification programs approved for the Air Force COOL program. To see the complete list, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          3. My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)<\/a> is a government initiative for military spouses to obtain free education and certification for job progression. Qualified military spouses are eligible for up to $4,000 of their education costs to be covered by the scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Who Is Eligible for MyCAA?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          An applicant must be a spouse of a service member in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. During enrollment, your service member must be active-duty or in National Guard or Reserve status and be one of the following ranks: E1\u2013E5, W1 or W2, O1 or O2. In addition, you must have a high school diploma or the equivalent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          How to Apply<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
          1. Complete your MyCCA registration.<\/li>
          2. Schedule a meeting with a QuickStart Military Admissions Advisor.<\/li>
          3. Get your education and training plan.<\/li>
          4. Get approved.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            What QuickStart Certifications Programs Can You Enroll In?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            The following are the certifications approved for the MyCAA scholarship:<\/p>\n\n\n\n