Over the last 8 months, I have found that direct instruction is the only thing that has proven effective, but I'm having such a challenge getting students to just FINISH their course. Their always so excited in the beginning. They pay for a monthly on-demand instruction, but I login and check their progress and after the 1st month. I don't see them logging in. We're not big enough to do 1:1 instruction continuously. It also doesn't bring enough revenue.

I'm trying to boost engagement and have only found genuine interactions on YouTube and LinkedIn. I have tried Discord after so many people requested discord, but students don't even interact there. So many people use TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, but after 2 weeks on those platforms. I deleted the account and deleted the apps from my phone. It was insane the amount of dings and pings happened all day and night and trying to keep up with social media attention spans is not something I want to spend my time doing.

I want people to FINISH there courses and then move on to greater things, but retention and focus has been a real headache and what get's me is people sign up and pay month to month faithfully, but they never login and LEARN. It's driving me nuts.

I need help. Starting tomorrow, I have to deliver Course 701 for my company because the trainer who normally teaches the course is unavailable. My company has registered as a Learning Partner with CompTIA, but the registration has not yet been confirmed. I have successfully passed the exam to prepare for the course. However, I now urgently need (by tomorrow) the PowerPoint materials for it. Who can help me?

I'm wondering if these "CompTIA Compcert courses" that are not tied to actual CompTIA certifications are going to result in opportunities for instructor work, teaching classes that at best result in a "certificate of attendance"? In my decades of teaching as well as selling new courses to employers, students, and curriculum committees, that path has been made much more successful because of the recognition of CompTIA as a "Certification Issuer".

Thoughts?

Steve

"Three CompTIA certifications (A+, Cloud+, Security+) are in the top 10 list of hottest certifications in the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half. "Candidates with in-demand certifications like those listed below can often command higher starting salaries, notably in sectors experiencing active hiring and strong demand for specialized skills," according to Robert Half. "

https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/technology

A hat tip to CompTIA's Brian Matzelle who posted this on LinkedIn.

passed DataX Exam today ---> another cert bagged up ... feeling accomplished.

I was playing around Data+v2 group chat and made the following graphic with "my friend" deepseek, that can be found in:
https://github.com/Webgace/TTT-Data-v2-World-Audience

Is an interactive dashboard visualizes the global participation data from CompTIA's Data+ Train-the-Trainer (TTT) series, demonstrating the worldwide reach of data analytics education. The project transforms raw chat log data into compelling visual stories about global learning communities.
Please download the file (html) and extrai to your computer and open with your favourite browser


Interactive World Map
Multiple Chart Types
Session Filtering
Responsive Desig
Regional Analysis
Time Zone Insights

I am just start learning data more in depth using AI
Transforming Ideas Into Business Solutions

What is the cost for access codes for my students? Where can I review access codes? (I want to make sure that I cover the cost for my courses.)

At last!! We are finally ready to kick off our special TTT series around the CompTIA Compcert courses. While these will not be tied to a CompTIA certification exam, as always, we will provide a certificate of attendance that you can use to show for professional development.

Our first series will be the new version of CompTIA AI Essentials and AI Prompting Essentials. This will be a five-session series designed to provide the following knowledge and skills:

• Learn what defines artificial intelligence from other types of intelligence and computing
• Practice communicating about AI effectively
• Explore AI tools and the ways they can support your organization
• Craft effective prompts for AI chatbots
• Navigate the privacy and security concerns AI technology presents
• Prepare for AI's effect on the future of technology
• Evaluate AI outputs for accuracy, bias, and quality

What: AI Essentials & AI Prompting TTT series
When: Mondays and Wednesdays, December 1-15, 2:00 - 4:00 pm CST
Who: Nick Pierce
Where: ON24
Register Here

Took the Network+ exam today for the first time and passed! I have been certified in A+ and Sec+ for some years. Glad to finally have the Networking+ knowledge.

I wanted to ask the following question tomorrow at Ahead of the Curve: CompTIA’s 2026 Product Roadmap & Innovations, but I will not be able to listen to it.

Is CompTIA planning to bring back the old subscription service, like TestOut had, where you have access to as much learning material for a monthly price?

Thanks,

Is there a cert for this, or is this more in line with the AI-900 by Microsoft? What about labs for the current course?

Hi all, just curious is it still applicable to get the voucher exam Linux+ if I completed TTT by this week?

I passed the DataX certification exam this week, all thanks to the CIN Series. I re-watched the course videos and reviewed the Certmaster material. Those are the only study tools I used to prepare for the exam. Thank you, CIN!

Does anyone know if there will be a new CompTIA Partner portal launched? I went to the old URL and it just redirects me to this URL: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/partner-portal/partner-resources/


I'm trying to figure out how to sell Certmaster courses as an addition to our classes. It's pretty confusing.

Hey folks. I was asked this morning (by a company that has engaged me to teach dozens of CompTIA courses) to share the slide deck for a course. It is a very well-known company, and I know they have a strong relationship with CompTIA. They do not use third-party courseware, nor do they use third-party labs. Am I permitted to do this? I have access to the course slides because I downloaded them direct from CompTIA - likely because they were licenses for me by another company I teach for - but I do not know how the backend from the training provider standpoint goes. Do they need to purchase Instructor Courseware for their trainers? Am I permitted to share it with them?

Thanks in advance!

Join Us in Empowering the Next Generation of Cyber Defenders!

At The Ginger Hacker Initiative, our mission is simple but powerful to help aspiring cybersecurity professionals break into the field through mentorship, scholarships, and access to training resources.

We’re thrilled to announce our Online Silent Auction running on December 13th, 2025!

The event will culminate in a 4-hour livestream finale on December 13th, where we’ll celebrate our donors, showcase items, and raffle off some exciting prizes live!

All proceeds will directly fund certification scholarships, mentorship programs, and educational materials for those breaking into cybersecurity.

Your support can make a real impact in shaping the future of this vital industry. Together, we can create opportunities for students, veterans, and career-changers to build meaningful cybersecurity careers.

LINK TO RSVP ON LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/events/7386490553217175552/

Link here to see basket items and courses !! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-ginger-hacker-initiative-silent-auction-2

#GingerHacker hashtag#CyberSecurity hashtag#BreakingIntoCyber hashtag#Nonprofit hashtag#SilentAuction hashtag#OnlineEvent hashtag#Mentorship hashtag#Scholarships hashtag#CyberEducation hashtag#Community hashtag#TechCareers hashtag#CyberAwareness hashtag#FutureOfCyber hashtag#GiveBack hashtag#PartnerWithUs hashtag#STEM hashtag#CyberCommunity hashtag#Defenders

Can I pick your brains for a minute?

And before you suggest it--I've already reached out to Stephen, so no need to suggest this. But I figured y'all might be able to help me solve this issue to lighten the load on Stephen a bit.

I'm trying to use my DataX TTT voucher that expires Nov 30. Went to register to take the exam on Nov 24, but when I entered the voucher, I got an error message:

• This voucher cannot be used with this exam.

Any ideas what might be wrong or how/if I could fix this? I've triple checked to confirm I'm using the correct voucher for the correct exam.

Get an exclusive first look at CompTIA’s vision for 2026 in this dynamic session. The spotlight will be on the exciting new product lines, timely refreshes, and learning platform enhancements scheduled for next year. Hear directly from CompTIA’s leadership team about the next wave of solutions designed to empower educators, businesses, and learners for the opportunities of tomorrow.

This webinar will cover:

• Highlights from 2025, including a series of short Essentials courses focused on competency
• New expansion certifications - CompTIA’s approach to enabling workers with critical skills in AI and automation
• A deep dive into significant learning platform enhancements, such as AI-enabled scenario activities, alternative labs for accessibility, and progress dashboards
• Major new releases, refreshes, and retirements planned for 2026
• A first look at CompTIA SecOT+, the highly anticipated new certification that bridges knowledge gaps between Information Technology and Operational Technology as businesses transform for the digital age

Why Attend:
This session is your front-row seat to what’s next from CompTIA, helping you plan proactively and position your organization to maximize value as soon as these solutions are ready to launch.

What: CompTIA webinar on 2026 Product Roadmap & Innovations
When: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 10:00 AM CST
Who: Katie Hoenicke, SVP Product Development, Zach Steele, Sr Director Learning Platforms, Henry Mann, Sr Director Product Development
Where: ON24
Register Here

Is anyone else having issues with academic pricing no longer available in their profile account at store.comptia.org? We bulk order vouchers for our students but all of the sudden I no longer have academic pricing available and my profile lists me as a student.

I did attend the 220-1201 and 220-1202 and had to go buy my own vouchers due to training comments. So still no vouchers. I have completed the Linux+ and in 6 weeks need to run a class DOES THAT MEAN I WILL NEED TO BUY MY OWN LINUX+ FOR THIS SESSION?? WE ARE FALLING BEHIND

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have the breakdown for both the new A+ exams into 8 weeks?

Thanks

Hello everyone,

I’m an Information Technology instructor at a Chapter 74 Career and Technical Education (CTE) high school in Massachusetts, working under the DESE Information Support Services and Networking (ISSN) framework.

I’d like to learn from others about their experience implementing CompTIA training programs (such as A+, Network+, Security+, etc.) in alignment with state-level CTE frameworks across the U.S.

Specifically:

• How have schools structured CompTIA coursework within multi-year high school CTE pathways?
• Which CompTIA certifications have you integrated at each grade level (e.g., sophomore, junior, senior years)?
• How do you ensure compliance with your state’s CTE standards (for example, DESE’s six strands: Safety & Health, Technical Skills, Employability, etc.) while maintaining industry relevance?
• What methodologies or pacing models have proven most effective (semester-based, full-year, hybrid, or modular)?

I’m currently mapping CompTIA A+ Core 1 & 2 (CertMaster Learn v15) against the DESE CTE framework and would appreciate insights, success stories, or lesson structures that have worked well in your districts.

Thank you in advance for sharing your experience and best practices.

— José Volquez
Greater Lawrence Technical School, Andover MA

Join CIN as we provide a Sneak Peek to the brand new CompTIA SecAI+ V1 certification. We will welcome special guest @James Stanger and @Nick Pierce as they walk us through why industry is looking for this exam and take a deep dive into the exam objectives. We will topics covered by the exam and some teaching practices to help deliver the content to students.

CompTIA SecAI+ is the global IT industry’s first comprehensive “expansion” certification focused on the security of artificial intelligence systems and the secure application of AI in cybersecurity operations. This certification equips professionals with critical, vendor-neutral skills to understand, defend, and ethically deploy AI technologies within any organization.

Topics covered in the SecAI+ course will help students:

• Apply foundational and advanced AI concepts to strengthen organizational cybersecurity.
• Implement robust security controls and best practices for protecting AI systems and data.
• Leverage AI-driven tools to enhance threat detection, response, and automation of security operations.
• Navigate global governance, risk, and compliance frameworks to ensure responsible AI adoption.

What: CIN Sneak Peek
When: Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 12:00 PM CST
Who: Dr. James Stanger, CompTIA and Nick Pierce, Northern Virginia Community College
Where: ON24

Register Here

Hello Community,


I’m looking for substantial certifications that high school students can realistically earn in 6 weeks (about 8 hours of in-class training per week).


Due to funding, my paid apprenticeship program has been shortened from two years to six weeks. During this time, students will also complete a 40-hour work week in IT departments or community volunteer roles.


I want participants to leave with meaningful credentials, not just filler certificates. I’m currently considering Tech+, since many students already have some IT background, but I’d love to hear suggestions for other short-term, impactful certifications.


Thank you for any recommendations!

CompTIA is looking for qualified individuals to help develop a brand new infrastructure-related certification by participating in a beta exam. Input from IT infrastructure professionals working in the field is crucial to our ability to develop relevant and up-to-date exam content , validating the knowledge and skills required to harness automation as a competitive advantage—optimizing efficiency, security, and innovation across cloud and hybrid infrastructures.

If you qualify, take, and pass the CompTIA AutoOps+ beta exam (EXAM CODE AT1-001), you will earn the new CompTIA AutoOps+ certification at no cost.

Please note: exam results will not be available until the new CompTIA AutoOps+ exam (EXAM CODE AT0-001) launches in Summer 2026.

The target audience for the new certification includes the following individuals:

Those with at least 2 – 3 years of experience in a core IT infrastructure role.

Job Roles include:

• Cloud Administrator

• Cybersecurity Administrator

• Linux Systems Administrator

• Network Administrator

• Systems Administrator

• Senior Technical Support Specialist