CompTIA certification helps businesses meet CRC rules

Industry group CompTIA has developed a training and certification programme to help organisations comply with the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, which comes into force on 1 April 2010.

The certificate complements the foundation certificate in green IT recently launched by BCS.

CompTIA said the certificate will assess skills such as disposal of hazardous materials, preservation of power and virtualisation. Certificate holders will know about different techniques and technologies to enhance green IT initiatives, including using Energy Star-rated equipment, solid state drives and renewable energy sources. The training programme also aims to help IT people learn to develop and implement an internal IT strategy, understand standards and assessment tools, and ensure the programme delivers a good return on investment, CompTIA said.

Matthew Poyiadgi, CompTIA European vice-president, said, "For many organisations, green IT offers untapped potential to reduce both costs and emissions. Holders of the CompTIA and BCS qualifications will have the means to help organisations take advantage of this potential."

The training and certification programme, called Strata, is available initially from QA Training. Exams will cost £55 for members and £65 for non-members and can be taken at Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centres.