CompTIA Strata IT Fundamental

All,

So is this CompTIA Strata IT Fundamental the new A+? I am a little confused as to where it fits in. I'll do a little googling, but just wanted to get everyones thoughts?

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NinjaBoy

Daniel333 wrote: »

All,

So is this CompTIA Strata IT Fundamental the new A+? I am a little confused as to where it fits in. I'll do a little googling, but just wanted to get everyones thoughts?

No, the A+ is the A+, the CompTIA Strata IT Fundamental is below the A+ and a certification in it's own right.

PC509

NinjaBoy wrote: »

No, the A+ is the A+, the CompTIA Strata IT Fundamental is below the A+ and a certification in it's own right.

BELOW the A+? I don't know how much lower you can go. A+ is very entry level. The Strata must be very, very basic - What is a CPU? Where does the power cord plug into?

Sorry, but the A+ was already very basic fundamentals of PC's, and I don't see where this Strata comes into play into the workplace. Perhaps for the office manager to prove that they can turn a computer on?

mctwist

Another way to generate cash flow?

I can see the certification book title now: "Computers for dummies"

NinjaBoy

The Comptia IT Fundamentals Strata qualification is almost pre-workforce/for a very junior (apprentice) IT technician.

ptilsen

I think Comptia is a great organization that produces great non-vendor certification programs that the industry would otherwise be lacking. But, Comptia is kidding itself if it thinks anyone is going to value someone with a certification that is below the A+. When I'm hiring level 1 techs, I will not consider them unless they have two of the following or a four-year degree:
2-year degree
A+
Network+
1 year of relevant experience

The A+ material is as entry-level as it gets. Below that, you're simply creating credentials people can buy to start a job they aren't qualified for. Maybe Strata is a good requirement for the Geek Squad, but it is just not good enough enough for a junior DST or helpdesk rep.

Also, Network+ is a great cert with a great curriculum, but "level 3"? What does Comptia consider level 3? I get that levels are defined arbitrarily and subjectively, but who on earth thinks Network+ is a "level 3" cert? I require my level 1s have the Network+ to be considered for promotion. It indicates general knowledge of networking, the OSI, and proves a certain level of troubleshooting abilities. It does not indicate sufficient skill for "Network implementation and support" outside of very small SMBs / SOHO environments.

EVOJDSU

ptilsen wrote: »

I think Comptia is a great organization that produces great non-vendor certification programs that the industry would otherwise be lacking. But, Comptia is kidding itself if it thinks anyone is going to value someone with a certification that is below the A+. When I'm hiring level 1 techs, I will not consider them unless they have two of the following or a four-year degree:
2-year degree
A+
Network+
1 year of relevant experience

The A+ material is as entry-level as it gets. Below that, you're simply creating credentials people can buy to start a job they aren't qualified for. Maybe Strata is a good requirement for the Geek Squad, but it is just not good enough enough for a junior DST or helpdesk rep.

Also, Network+ is a great cert with a great curriculum, but "level 3"? What does Comptia consider level 3? I get that levels are defined arbitrarily and subjectively, but who on earth thinks Network+ is a "level 3" cert? I require my level 1s have the Network+ to be considered for promotion. It indicates general knowledge of networking, the OSI, and proves a certain level of troubleshooting abilities. It does not indicate sufficient skill for "Network implementation and support" outside of very small SMBs / SOHO environments.

Guys..... you DO realize that there are fields outside IT that might require a lesser cert, right? People in other professions who need to use a computer at work?

Strata is in no way, shape, or form intended to be used/obtained by IT professionals. It is intended to be used as a tool by employers to screen out candidates who can't figure out how to turn on a computer. (yes, this is the official CompTIA reason given that this cert exists)

I understand that for IT pros that do not work with end users you may not be fully aware of just how bad many peoples computer skills are even in 2011.

I used to work IT for AT&T. Two years ago I totally left the IT profession, and probably will never return to it. (though I still keep my certs current) Working around non-IT people all of a sudden was quite a shock.

Now I am a glorified government clerk, and my coworkers have absolutely dumbfounded me when it comes to even the most basic computer skills. Most of my coworkers can not figure out Outlook. They panic when they get a notification of a mandatory software update. They save a file and then can not locate it. The toner runs out on their printer and they have to call IT. I can think of at least 5 coworkers who likely waste at least 2 hours *a day* trying to figure out the most basic task.... even a task they have done 100 times before. (no, I am not exaggerating)

Strata is the new way of screening these people out. They may be highly competent professionals in whatever field they studied, but there are still far too many people in the workforce who never bothered to learn the most basic computing skills required in the workplace. As more and more people outside IT need to perform more and more of their work on PCs, hiring computer illiterate people is a major problem for employers.

In other words, Strata is something for an Accountant, Administrative Assistant, call center rep, clerk, etc to put on his/her resume. It tells employers - "Hey! I'm a great accountant, and although I am not an IT pro I want you to know that I at least won't be wasting 3 hours a day of company time trying to figure out how to send an email!"

Think of Strata as a minor on your bachelor's degree. I may have majored in Political Science, but I minored in Business Administration.... So when I apply for a job as a campaign manager my future employer feels a little more confident that I probably have at least some management/marketing/organizational skills. It's just a nice little bonus to make your employer a little more confident that you can handle some of the less direct aspects of the job.