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     The Language Acquisition Research Foundation believes that Traditional Information Technology training has had a negative impact on people’s lives and our community. For years, students have undertaken huge financial burdens to train in IT programs with varying degrees of “success.” Most programs cost between $30-40k and place students under the burdens of Title IV Funding, or “Financial Aid.” Many institutions offer certificate or degree programs and only offer Certification as a bonus. This is where we stand apart from traditional for-profit institutions offering IT training.

     We, here at the LARF Technology Center, know for a FACT that YOU DO NOT NEED A DEGREE TO BEGIN A CAREER IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY! Certifications are more important to Employers than a “degree” without certification. Certification PROVES a job-seeker can perform essential job functions required by all IT professionals. We provide training for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Certification alongside the TestOut IT Fundamentals Pro Certification. Both certifications are Good For Life! More importantly, they prepare an individual for the professional certifications such as A+, Network+ & Security+!

     Our IT Fundamentals training program is 16 weeks long, Monday through Thursday, 1 ½ hours of lecture per day. We provide instruction in a hybrid on-site / distance learning environment, about 8 weeks on-site and 8 weeks remotely. Each day after class, our Instructors are available to answer any questions or go over any material a student may need during their Instructor Hour. We utilize TestOut training as our main curriculum but supplement it with SEVERAL COMPTIA OFFICIAL TRAINING PRODUCTS. There are several custom hands-on labs to give students the needed experience to succeed in their certification efforts. Students receive 2 vouchers for the CompTIA exam, which they will sit for during the last week. If they fail to certify, we will examine their results and tailor a specific study regimen to retake the exam. Additionally, students receive 1 voucher for the TestOut Fundamentals Pro exam which includes a $1,000 Skills Guarantee for Employers, to secure job placement.

     We also believe that the Borderland is a unique landscape that can revolutionize the way that we handle tech talent. Too many individuals that DO graduate/certify from Traditional IT training institutions move away from El Paso because the pay is better. This is where our goals for the community lie. We are garnering partnerships with employers to begin APPRENTICESHIPS for A+/Network+/Security+ to keep our tech talent in El Paso! We have registered 3 programs with the US Department of Labor: Computer Support Specialist, Network Support Specialist & Cyber Security Support Technician. Apprentices will receive training from us while earning money and getting On-The-Job-Training directly from their employer. Apprenticeship will not be offered to individuals who do not possess certifications, so the easiest way into this exciting program is to train with us!

     Lastly, we are sympathetic to individuals who received prior Traditional IT training and for whatever reason, did not certify or graduate. These programs were designed to only collect funding via Financial Aid and often skipped material, overloaded students with too much material, or presented the needed information at break-neck speed. Also, the quality of training materials was often bundled by publishers, whom these institutions had financial incentives to only offer their products, because of medical, business & law enforcement programs also offered by the institution. Due to this, we offer Scholarships to not only these individuals, but ANYONE THAT CAN ENRICH THEIR LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATION!