TCA students earn valuable credential

Two Lincoln Public Schools students who attend The Career Academy (TCA) recently completed their CompTIA A+ certification, which is considered the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles. 

The two students are Caine Olson, a senior whose home school is Southwest High School, and Jacob Korell, a senior whose home school is Northeast High School. They're both on the IT Networking pathway at TCA.

Dan Nickel, one of their instructors at TCA, said the CompTIA A+ certification is one way that students can differentiate themselves from their peers when they apply for jobs.

"Candidates are better prepared to troubleshoot and problem solve. Technicians understand a wide variety of issues ranging from networking and operating systems to mobile devices and security," Nickel said. "A+ supports the ability to connect users to the data they need to do their jobs regardless of the devices being used.

TCA is a joint venture between LPS and Southeast Community College (SCC). TCA's goal is to provide academic and real-world experiences to juniors and seniors through high school and dual credit courses in 16 different career pathways.

Students attend TCA for two hours a day during the regular school year while taking their remaining courses at their home high school. Transportation in the LPS district is provided, books are free and tuition is free through scholarships or paid at a 50 percent discount to the regular SCC credit-hour charge.

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