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SkillBridge Programs at CIAT: Launching Your Civilian IT Career 

Transitioning from military to civilian life can feel daunting, but it’s also an exciting period where you can explore career options that match your interests, strengths, and military experience.  

If you’re looking to transition smoothly into a rewarding civilian career, consider the Department of Defense-approved SkillBridge program at California Institute of Applied Technology (CIAT). This program is specifically designed to equip you with the skills and certifications you need to launch or advance a career in the IT industry.  

At CIAT, we understand the unique challenges that transitioning service members face, so our SkillBridge programs are tailored to provide you with hands-on training and personalized career services support. Our programs are not merely for furthering education, but are designed to help you gain the skills, certifications, and confidence you need to conquer the IT job market. 

The Importance of SkillBridge Programs for Transitioning Military

The SkillBridge program is a valuable initiative that recognizes the sacrifices made by service members and aims to facilitate their successful transition into the civilian workforce. The program ensures that transitioning service members have a reasonable expectation and high probability of post-service employment by providing opportunities to develop job training and employment skills, including pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and internships. 

The SkillBridge program is designed to bridge the gap between military service and civilian careers, ensuring that the valuable skills and experiences acquired during service are effectively translated into marketable assets. This initiative benefits the individuals involved and contributes to the overall strength of the civilian workforce by infusing it with the discipline, leadership, and problem-solving abilities cultivated through military service. 

CIAT’s SkillBridge – Approved IT Programs

At CIAT, we are proud to offer three certificate programs under the SkillBridge program, each tailored to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving IT industry: 

  1. Certificate as Networking Technician: 4 courses, 20 weeks 
  1. Certificate in Cloud Administration: 4 courses, 20 weeks 
  1. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): 2 courses, 10 weeks 

Each program is designed to prepare you for industry-recognized certifications, such as those from CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco. Employers highly value these certifications and acquiring them will give you a competitive edge in the job market. 

Networking Technician Program

The Certificate as Networking Technician program will equip you with the skills and knowledge to design, configure, and maintain computer networks. Hands-on training will teach you about networking fundamentals, routing and switching technologies, network security, and troubleshooting techniques. 

This program prepares you for industry-recognized certifications such as CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, and Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT). With these certifications, you’ll be well-positioned to pursue roles such as Network Administrator, Network Technician, or Network Support Specialist. 

Cloud Administration Program

As businesses increasingly embrace cloud computing solutions, the demand for skilled cloud administrators continues to rise. CIAT’s Certificate in Cloud Administration program equips you with the knowledge and practical skills required to manage and maintain cloud infrastructure and services. 

Through this program, you’ll gain expertise in cloud computing concepts, deployment models, virtualization technologies, and cloud security practices. You’ll also learn to work with popular cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). 

Upon completing this program, you’ll be prepared to pursue certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, and Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect. These certifications will open doors to exciting careers as a Cloud Administrator, Cloud Architect, or Cloud Solutions Specialist. 

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Program

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) program is a widely recognized certification in the networking industry. This program focuses on implementing and administrating Cisco networking solutions, providing you with a deep understanding of routing and switching technologies, network security, and network services. 

Through this intensive 10-week program, you’ll gain hands-on experience working with Cisco routers and switches, configuring and troubleshooting networks, and implementing various network services. Upon successful completion, you’ll be eligible to earn the CCNA certification, which employers across multiple industries highly value. 

With the CCNA certification, you’ll be prepared to pursue roles such as Network Administrator, Network Engineer, or Network Support Specialist, working with advanced networking technologies and solutions. 

Personalized Career Services and Employer Connections

At CIAT, we understand that earning industry-recognized certifications is just the first step toward a successful IT career. That’s why we provide comprehensive personalized career services to all our SkillBridge program participants, leveraging our strong relationships with employers who actively seek out our graduates. 

Our dedicated career services team will work closely with you, offering guidance on resume building, interview preparation, and job search strategies. We’ll connect you with job opportunities that align with your newfound skills and certifications, ensuring a smooth transition into the civilian workforce. 

Employers Who Hire Our Graduates

Employers who have hired our graduates include: 

  • Raytheon
  • Microsoft
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Cox Communications
  • Best Buy

These employers recognize the value of our SkillBridge programs and the caliber of our graduates. They trust CIAT to provide highly skilled and certified professionals who can contribute to their organizations from day one. 

Flexible Learning Options

At CIAT, we understand that transitioning service members may have unique schedules and commitments. That’s why our SkillBridge programs are designed to be flexible, with new cohorts starting every five weeks. This allows you to begin your training at a time that suits your schedule, ensuring a seamless transition from military service to your civilian IT career. 

The SkillBridge program at CIAT presents an invaluable opportunity for transitioning service members to acquire the skills and certifications needed to launch a successful civilian IT career. Our programs are designed to provide hands-on training, industry-recognized certification exam preparation support, and comprehensive personalized career services, ensuring that you graduate with marketable skills and experience that will help you better position yourself for post-service employment. 

Don’t miss this chance to leverage your military experience and skills while embarking on an exciting new path in the rapidly growing IT industry! 

DISCLAIMER OF ENDORSEMENT: The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and neither constitutes nor implies any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of any entity, product, service, or organization by the Department of Defense SkillBridge program or any part of the Department of Defense. 

© Copyright 2024 Solutions for Information Design, LLC 

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