Programs

The Academy offers the following five primary programs:

Academy Academic Programs
Program Length
Basic Computer Skills (BCS) 6 weeks
Office Information Coordinator 18 weeks
Client Support Technician (CST) 18 weeks
Computer Support Specialist (CSS) 16 weeks
Application Development & Programming 55 weeks

Program Enrollment and Entrance Requirements

Students may enroll for their specific program anytime within 1 week of the scheduled start date. However, all entrance requirements for their individual program must be met prior to enrollment for that program. Note that a personal interview of each prospective student by the Academy Administrator/Director is required of all students. At that interview, documents supporting all other program entrance requirements will be reviewed and evaluated including the Student Enrollment Agreement. The table below lists the program entrance requirements for the Academy’s academic programs.

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Academy Program Entrance Requirements

CRITERIA

BCS Program

OIC Program

CST Program

CSS Program

ADP Program

Personal Interview

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Minimum Age

18

18

18

18

18

Minimum Education

HS Diploma/GED

HS Diploma/GED Or BCS Program Certificate Or equivalent experience

HS Diploma/GED Or OIC Program Certificate Or equivalent experience

HS Diploma/GED Or CST Program Certificate Or equivalent experience

HS Diploma/GED

Minimum TABE Reading Level

8th Grade

8th Grade

8th Grade

8th Grade

10th Grade

Minimum TABE Math Level

7th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

8th Grade

10th Grade

Economic Status £ 200 % of the Federal Poverty Level
AND/OR
Disabled AND/OR a Displaced Worker

 
 
Yes

 
 
Yes

 
 
Yes

 
 
Yes

 
 
Yes

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Program Summary

The BCS Program is the first 6 weeks of the OIC & CST Programs. Qualified graduates of the CST Program (or comparable external programs) are eligible to enroll in The Academy's Computer Support Specialist (CSS) Community Apprenticeship Program.

The CSS Apprenticeship Program provides 16 weeks of real world work experience in the Technical support industry as well as advanced level preparation for CompTIA’s A+ Certification. A+ is an industry recognized credential that certifies the competency of PC Service Specialists. It is sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) and tests are administered by Sylvan Prometric. The program is backed by over 50 Major computer hardware and software manufacturers, vendors, distributors, resellers, and publications. The Academy is an active and contributing member of CompTIA.

The Applications Development and Programming (ADP) program was founded in 1985 at the Rochester Rehabilitation Center and moved to The Academy in November of 2003. The intensive 55-week training is conducted in a simulated work environment and includes instructor-led classes, labs, and projects in contemporary programming languages and applications. The program runs Monday through Friday (except during holidays), from 8:30am – 4:30 pm, with a 1-hour lunch and two 15-minute breaks. A full time internship is required during the last ten weeks of the program.

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Basic Computer Skills

Basic Computer Skills Detail
This program prepares the individual with basic computer knowledge and fundamental skills in word-processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentation technology, database data entry, and familiarity with the Internet applied in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. In addition to formal classroom instruction, participants are provided with access to computer-based instruction in keyboarding, customer relations, written and oral communications, and general workforce prep.

During the last program week, students are required to complete a final project that demonstrates their newly acquired skills by creating and implementing their own computer-based job search and personal tools that include: a set of customizable resume, cover & thank you letter documents in Microsoft Word; a Microsoft Access database to keep track of job search activities; a Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation about themselves that can be viewed by potential employers; and a 12 month personal Budget using Microsoft Excel. This combination of courses represents the minimum skill set necessary to apply for a variety of entry level positions in today’s computerized workforce.

Depending upon the students’ previous work experience, this program provides entry level computer skills for occupations in the Retail trades, General Office environments, Data Entry & Document Processing fields, Telemarketing, etc. Some of the job positions include, but are not limited to: Data Entry Clerk, Telemarketing Assistant, On-Line Information Clerk, Documents/Photocopy Clerk, Office Assistant, Clerks, General Office, Receptionist/Information Clerk, and Retail Clerk.

All of these jobs have entry level starting salaries in the $6.50-$9.00/hour range. It is important to note that many of these jobs fall into the top 20 largest growth occupations for the Finger Lakes Region (according to “Occupational Trends Through 1998-2008”; NYS Dept. of Labor, Research and Statistics Div., RS51 08/01).

Program Statistics

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Office Information Coordinator

This program will prepare the individual with substantive skills in word-processing, spreadsheet preparation, electronic presentation preparation, electronic mail, and database management creation using current software application tools applied in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors of American Industry. In addition, this program includes specific “hands-on” projects and Customer Service, Bookkeeping (QuickBooks), and Office Assistant training that will facilitate the student’s entry and adaptation to today’s corporate environment. The Office Information Coordinator organizes, coordinates, and administers electronic information in an office environment.

This program’s combination of technical and non-technical skills will allow the program graduate to apply for a variety of entry-level positions in today’s modern office environment. This holds true for both small and large organizations. Examples of these jobs include, but are not limited to: Administrative Aide, Computer Support Assistant, Telemarketing Assistant, Customer Service Technician, Research Aide, On-Line Information Assistant Secretary, Electronic Mail Coordinator, Documents Management Clerk, Office Assistant, Clerks, General Office Receptionist/Information Clerk

All of these jobs have entry level starting salaries in the $8.25-$11.50/hour range. It is important to note that most of these jobs also fall into the top 20 largest growth occupations for the Finger Lakes Region (according to “Occupational Trends Through 1999”; NYS Dept. of Labor, Research and Statistics Div., RS23 3-95).

Program Statistics.

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Client Support Technician

Client Support Technicians (CST) answer a variety of computer application and customer service related questions, provide timely feedback, and interface with all levels of personnel and customers. The CST can install, support, troubleshoot, and configure the desktop environment; and can be responsible for desktop applications support including, but not limited to, software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentation, database management, e-mail and telecommunications packages and systems. They will also have a general working knowledge of local area networks, and will be able to install/configure a variety of common workplace software/hardware products and peripherals. In addition, this program includes specific “hands-on” internship & project-based training that will facilitate the student’s entry and adaptation to today’s corporate helpdesk and customer service environments. The Client Support Technician will be a technical and administrative problem solver, and will fit in any size organization that utilizes computers and communication systems to process information. In addition to formal classroom instruction, participants are provided with access to computer-based instruction in keyboarding, customer support, written and oral communications, workforce prep, and general bookkeeping using QuickBooks.

This program’s combination of technical and non-technical skills will allow the program graduate to apply for a variety of general entry positions in today’s modern corporate environment including, but not limited to:

All of these jobs have entry level starting salaries in the $9.00-$15.00/hour range. It is important to note that many of these jobs fall into the top 20 largest growth occupations for the Finger Lakes Region (according to “Occupational Trends Through 1998-2008”; NYS Dept. of Labor, Research and Statistics Div., RS51 08/01).

Program Statistics

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Computer Support Specialist

This 16-week program will prepare technicians for the current job market in the technical support arena. It will include academic preparation for national industry certification (A+), as well as practical hands-on experience in applying the technology in a real-world work environment. During the first eight weeks of the program, Computer Support Specialist (CSS) apprentices will receive advanced academic instruction 12 hrs. per week and a minimum of 17.5 hours per week of mentored Technical Support work experience. After the first eight weeks, apprentices will participate in a continuation of the CSS Apprenticeship work experience 8 hr. per day five days per week for 8 more weeks. The Academic components will take place at Academy classrooms located at 1349 South Avenue, Rochester NY. The work experience components will take place at the Academy’s Computer Remanufacturing and Recycling work apprenticeship facility at 420 Dewey Avenue, Rochester NY, and at our CommuniTech Community Computer Helpdesk and Technical Support Services Center at WXXI/PBS 280 State Street, Rochester NY 14603 (Part Time morning shifts run M-F from 9:00am through 12:30pm, and afternoon shifts run from 1:00pm through 4:30pm. Full Time shifts run M-F from 8:00am to 5:00pm). Both centers support numerous not-for-profit community technology programs throughout Rochester and the surrounding region. Program content includes but is not limited to the following topics:

The format of the academic program will consist of interactive lectures, Computer based training, practice test exams, and hands on laboratory sessions. All students are required to prepare a professional portfolio of all Technical Support activities obtained during the work experience component of the program. All Portfolio entries will be verified by the program mentor(s) and the Academy Director of Instruction.

Program Statistics

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Applications Development and Programming

The Academy's Applications Development and Programming (ADP) Program is a replication of the very successful and highly regarded ADP course formerly taught at Rochester Rehabilitation Center’s IT2.Program. It utilizes the identical curriculum (that has now been evaluated and approved by the New York State Education Department) and includes:

This combination of courses provides the minimum skill set necessary to apply for a variety of entry level professional positions in any organization where information is processed, databases developed and maintained, software applications (including web sites) developed, tested, and maintained, etc. Some of the job positions include, but are not limited to:

All of these jobs have entry level starting salaries in the $12.00-$17.00/hour range. It is important to note that many of these jobs fall into the top 20 largest growth occupations for the Finger Lakes Region (according to “Occupational Trends Through 1998-2008”; NYS Dept. of Labor, Research and Statistics Div., RS51 08/01).

Program Statistics