Network Specialist Certificate of Achievement

CompTIA certifications helps students build a solid foundation of essential knowledge and skills that will help students earn employment in technology-related careers. The CompTIA Network+ certification assures employers that their applicant is prepared to enter the workforce as a network support technician. Computer network technicians analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.

Employment of computer support specialists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). More support services will be needed as organizations upgrade their computer equipment and software. According to EDD (Employment Development Department) and EMSI (Economic Modeling Specialist International) projection numbers for California-wide employment as “Computer Support Specialists” and “Computer Specialist” in general is expected to grow at double-digit rates.  Employment for “Computer and Information Systems Managers” will have a percent change of nearly 20 percent.

As nearly every industry sector and individual becomes increasingly dependent on computers, Information and Communications Technologies are vital for productivity, efficiency, connectivity and growth. ICT occupations in California are attractive career options, especially since this industry has a presence within virtually all industries throughout the state. Not only are there a number of established jobs within California, but industry experts anticipate the addition of over 76,000 jobs in ICT industries over the next five years.

The Inland Empire is positioned to benefit from the defined growth in traditional IT jobs. It is further in a strong position to drive economic/jobs growth in advanced economies with the new technology, feeding the regional use of technology and increasing the demand for ICT jobs and training. As outlined in the Model Comprehensive Regional Career Pathway for ICT /Digital Media, the development of a defined pipeline of workers with the latest skills and certified work readiness, will enable our local employers to advance their economic growth in these areas, and will support and feed the growth of ICT jobs throughout the region.

Narrative
College of the Desert

Network Specialist Certificate of Completion

Item 1. Program Goals and Objectives

Employment of computer support specialists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). More support services will be needed as organizations upgrade their computer equipment and software. According to EDD (Employment Development Department) and EMSI (Economic Modeling Specialist International) projection numbers for California-wide employment as “Computer Support Specialists” and “Computer Specialist” in general is expected to grow at double-digit rates. Employment for “Computer and Information Systems Managers” will have a percent change of nearly 20 percent.

As nearly every industry sector and individual becomes increasingly dependent on computers, Information and Communications Technologies are vital for productivity, efficiency, connectivity and growth. ICT occupations in California are attractive career options, especially since this industry has a presence within virtually all industries throughout the state. Not only are there a number of established jobs within California, but industry experts anticipate the addition of over 76,000 jobs in ICT industries over the next five years.

The Inland Empire is positioned to benefit from the defined growth in traditional IT jobs. It is further in a strong position to drive economic/jobs growth in advanced economies with the new technology, feeding the regional use of technology and increasing the demand for ICT jobs and training. As outlined in the Model Comprehensive Regional Career Pathway for ICT /Digital Media, the development of a defined pipeline of workers with the latest skills and certified work readiness, will enable our local employers to advance their economic growth in these areas, and will support and feed the growth of ICT jobs throughout the region.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Apply fundamental knowledge of computing and the current use of technology techniques, skills, and tools necessary for the computing practice.

2. Demonstrate the ability to locate, critically evaluate and solve business problems with technology solutions using qualitative and quantitative information.

3. Demonstrate a fundamental ability to identify and analyze user needs in the selection, creation, evaluation and administration of computer-based systems.

4. Provide information technology technical assistance to computer and network users.

5. Demonstrate appreciation of the IT career field and the need to be lifelong learners.

Item 2. Catalog Description

CompTIA certifications helps students build a solid foundation of essential knowledge and skills that will help students earn employment in technology-related careers. The CompTIA Network+ certification assures employers that their applicant is prepared to enter the workforce as a network support technician. Computer network technicians analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.

Following is an alphabetical list of Primary Standard Occupational Codes (SOC), in which all employees are assumed to be ICT workforce:

• 27-4011Audio and Video Equipment Technicians

• 27-4012Broadcast Technicians

• 27-4031Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture

• 43-2099Communications Equipment Operators, All Other

• 11-3021Computer and Information Systems Managers

• 17-2061Computer Hardware Engineers

• 15-1143Computer Network Architects

• 15-1152Computer Network Support Specialists

• 15-1199Computer Occupations, All Other

• 43-9011Computer Operators

• 15-1151Computer User Support Specialists

• 49-2011Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

• 49-2097Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers

• 19-4041Geological and Petroleum Technicians

• 27-4099Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other

• 29-2071Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

• 15-1142Network and Computer Systems Administrators

• 49-2021Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairs

• 49-2022Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line
  Installers

• 49-9052Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

• 15-1134Web Developers

• 25-1099Postsecondary Teachers

• 41-4011Sales Representatives, Wholesale & Manufacturing, Technical & Scientific
  Products

Item 3. Program Requirements

Certificate of Completion: Network Specialist Certificate

Total Required Courses and Hours: 16 Units with at least 6 CIS courses with 400+ hours

Proposed Yearly Sequence

Item 4. Master Planning

The Network Specialist Certificate of Completion meets both the state of California’s CTE program Career advancement and California Community College goals.

The development of this new certificate is the result three main factors:

1. The IT Competency Model, within the Department of Labor’s Information Technology Competency Models, identifies the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for workers to perform successfully in the field of information technology (IT). The model is depicted as a pyramid consisting of several tiers. Tier 4 – Industry-Wide (IT) Technical Competencies cover the general knowledge and skills and abilities from which workers across the industry can benefit, regardless of the IT sector in which they operate.

2. The ACM Committee for Computing Education in Community Colleges (CCECC), at the direction of the ACM Education Board, convened a task force to produce curricular guidance for certificate programs in Information Technology. In fulfilling its charge, the CCECC identified the body of knowledge as a set of fifty student learning outcomes that constitute core Information Technology (IT) competencies for all IT programs and certificates. These learning outcomes were created with the intent of being adaptable, not overly technology specific, and remain current for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, these core IT learning outcomes were primarily influenced by:

• current and future needs of business and industry,

• professional and industry certifications,

• government and standards bodies, and

• related-IT curricula, including the ACM Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree program in Information Technology, and the U.S. Department of Labor Information Technology Competency Model.

Item 5. Enrollment Projections

Projected Annual Completers:

2026 – 2027: 20

2027 – 2028: 40

2028 – 2029: 50

Item 6. Place of Program in Curriculum/Similar Programs

This program allows students in Business and Computer Information Systems to gain skills for entry level positions in Information Technology, specifically in network support and administration. These skills will assist students in helping their employer maintain and troubleshoot network systems, leading to the growth of the local economy. This certificate is intended to be the first-year requirements of the AS Employment prep which is similar to the AS Transfer prep.

Item 7. Similar Programs at Other Colleges in Service Area

Currently, Moreno Valley College (MVC) and Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) have similar programs in this field.

Item 8. Transfer Preparation Information (if applicable)

This certificate constitutes the first-year requirements of the AS Employment preparation, which is similar to the AS Transfer preparation. Students intending to transfer should consult with a counselor to make sure that their education plan is consistent with this objective.