Key Takeaways

• Certifications signal job readiness to employers looking for hands-on IT skills.

• CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ are trusted industry credentials that align with in-demand roles.

• Hiring trends show a shift toward skills-first training, especially in AI and cybersecurity.

• Hands-on labs help close the gap between theory and practice—giving students real-world experience.

• Academic programs can differentiate themselves by embedding certifications into the curriculum.

Setting Students Up for Success with Certifications

Community college students are entering a job market where skills speak louder than degrees. While traditional education still matters, employers increasingly expect candidates to bring proof of job-ready abilities—and that’s where certifications come in.

Recent headlines underscore this shift:

• Surge in Demand for Skill-Based Training (Mar 2025) — Employers and institutions are prioritizing practical learning over traditional credentials to meet modern workforce demands.

• CompTIA Survey: Job Seekers Embrace Skills Building (Mar 2025) — Amid economic uncertainty, job seekers are investing in certifications and bootcamps to remain competitive in a rapidly changing job market.

CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ are three of the most recognized IT certifications. When embedded into academic programs, they serve as launchpads for careers in support, networking, and cybersecurity—fields that continue to grow despite economic uncertainty.

Why CompTIA A+ Is the New Career Foundation

CompTIA A+ is often called the industry’s entry-level certification—but don’t underestimate it.

• Covers essential hardware, software, and troubleshooting skills

• Emphasizes customer support and communication

• Updated in 2025 to include hybrid work environments, cloud tools, and expanded cybersecurity topics

For students, A+ is a confidence booster. For employers, it’s a signal that a candidate can handle real-world IT challenges from day one.

Network+ and Security+: Pathways to Specialization

As students build confidence, they can progress to:

Network+

• Teaches networking infrastructure, protocols, and troubleshooting

• Equips learners for roles in system and network administration

Security+

• Focuses on threat management, cryptography, and identity controls

• Often required for cybersecurity roles—and now emphasized more in hybrid and remote job settings

When paired with labs, these certifications become more than a line on a resume—they become proof of capability.

Industry Trends: Skills-First is the New Standard

Recent data from CompTIA and workforce development leaders shows a clear trend: Skills-first hiring is in. Degrees-only hiring is out.

• Employers are prioritizing certifications and bootcamp experience over college majors.

• AI and cybersecurity are hot zones, and certifications offer faster entry points into these fields.

• Organizations like Accenture and the U.S. Department of Defense are investing heavily in certified talent to close internal skill gaps.

These trends are more than headlines—they’re real opportunities for academic institutions to future-proof their students.

Labs: Turning Learning Into Doing

It’s not enough for students to learn about technology—they need to practice it. As Jason Piecora, ACI Learning Chief Product Technology Officer puts it in a recent article published by Training Industry.com, “Technical professionals must be able to safely practice and test their knowledge in real-world environments where troubleshooting, problem-solving, and decision-making happen in real-time.”

Traditional models that rely on lectures and reading often fall short in preparing students for job-ready performance. That’s where ACI Learning’s Skill Labs come in.

Our virtual labs simulate real-world IT environments where learners can:

• Troubleshoot systems

• Configure networks

• Respond to security incidents

These labs offer more than just exposure—they deliver meaningful practice in a safe, controlled space where learners can experiment, make mistakes, and try again without risking a live environment. In short, learners get the experience of breaking and fixing things—without breaking the school or company server.

Hands-on labs help bridge the gap between theory and application, enabling students to:

• Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios

• Boost engagement and confidence by doing, not just watching

• Sharpen critical thinking and problem-solving for real-time challenges

• Prepare for certifications and careers by reinforcing job-ready skills

Studies show that experiential learning leads to significantly higher knowledge retention—up to 90%—compared to passive methods like reading and lecture, which average just 10–20%.

And unlike traditional labs that can be costly or hard to scale, our cloud-based virtual labs are:

• Accessible from anywhere

• Cost-effective and easy to deploy

• Scalable for classrooms, corporate teams, or distributed learners

They also come equipped with built-in performance analytics and flexible configurations—so you can track learner progress, align training with job roles, and integrate labs into broader learning strategies like eLearning, ILT, and mentorship.

Learn more about ACI Learning’s hands-on labs

How Academic Programs Can Lead the Way

Here’s how colleges can align with workforce needs and give their students a competitive edge:

• Embed CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ into programs

• Incorporate hands-on labs to reinforce learning

• Provide exam prep resources that improve pass rates

• Stay ahead of hiring trends by tracking industry certifications

Explore how ACI Learning partners with institutions: https://www.acilearning.com/academic/

FAQs for Academic Leaders

Q: Why should we embed CompTIA certifications into our curriculum?
A: Certifications like A+, Network+, and Security+ give students credentials that employers recognize and value. Embedding them increases job placement rates and boosts your program's reputation.

Q: How do hands-on labs improve student outcomes?
A: Labs provide real-world practice and reduce the learning curve once students enter the workforce. They're especially helpful in teaching troubleshooting and security response skills.

Q: Can we integrate labs and certifications into our LMS?
A: Yes. ACI Learning provides LMS-compatible tools and support, making it easy to blend certifications and labs into your existing courses.

Q: Are these certifications relevant for students pursuing AI or cybersecurity?
A: Absolutely. Security+ is a key cybersecurity credential, and A+ now includes content on cloud and virtualization—key stepping stones into AI and cybersecurity roles.

Q: What support does ACI Learning offer to educators?
A: We offer curriculum mapping, LMS integration, and performance analytics to help your program succeed.