CompTIA and BCS team up on green education

Key to success: CompTIA and the institute claim, between them, they can cover all green IT challenges

Two leading trade bodies are teaming up and claim their complementary green certifications will give IT professionals the chance to help their employers cut costs and emissions.

CompTIA has unveiled its first environmentally focused qualification – Strata Green IT – which has been designed to complement the Foundation Certificate in Green IT from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. Strata will test IT workers' knowledge in areas such as power preservation, virtualisation and disposing of hazardous materials.

CompTIA indicated those studying for the certificate will get the lowdown on green technology including solid state drives, energy star rated kit and renewable energy. They will also be educated on standards and assessment methods to help them implement an environmentally friendly internal IT setup.

The Institute's Foundation Certificate is aimed at facilities managers and senior decision makers. Its remit is to bring them up to speed on green legislation and carbon energy accounting, so as to enable them to formulate green IT strategies.

Strata's launch has been timed to coincide with the introduction of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme. Aimed at reducing emissions from non-energy intensive businesses, the CRC will force about 20,000 UK firms to buy carbon allowances. Datacentre provision is one sphere of industry set to feel the pinch.

CompTIA European vice president Matthew Poyiadgi said: "We believe IT is a key area that organisations need to look at to meet these ambitious targets."

Richard French, product manager of green IT for the institute, said that working in tandem with CompTIA, his organisation could cover all facets of green IT.

“We are delighted to be working together in such an important area," he said. "As global IT organisations, we feel it is our duty to address key issues like green IT and support the industry to overcome them. Between us, we are meeting the challenge at all levels, to help ensure it is dealt with in the most effective way possible.”

Strata can be studied for independently or through an authorised training provider. Exams can be sat at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centres and cost £55, or £65 for non-CompTIA members. QA will be the first training provider to offer the course.

The firm's director of professional best practice Jeff Payne said: “As a leading provider of learning solutions, we recognise the need for courses that provide the understanding and skills necessary for an IT department to recognise the significant role they have to play in helping the business to save money, energy and reduce carbon emissions.”