Case Study: Laurel Ridge Community College helps Zachary Caudle double his salary and become a systems administrator with CompTIA certifications

Laurel Ridge Community College helps Zachary Caudle double his salary with CompTIA

Laurel Ridge Community College sought to provide accessible, short-term IT training pathways for adult learners in its community, like student Zachary Caudle who needed to leave unfulfilling work for a sustainable career. Through its FastForward program, the college partnered with CompTIA, utilizing a curriculum built around their certification products including Tech+, A+, Network+, Security+, and CySA+.

The solution implemented by CompTIA provided the industry-recognized credentialing framework for Laurel Ridge's structured training program. This enabled Zachary to earn multiple certifications, which directly led to his success; he secured a role as a systems administrator at the Virginia Department of Transportation, where his salary doubled. The measurable impact of the CompTIA certifications is highlighted by this career transformation and Zachary’s subsequent recognition with the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Workforce Development.

Laurel Ridge Community College