Onward to Opportunity (O2O) is a no-cost industry-focused and validated career skills program that connects transitioning service members and active duty military spouses to high-demand careers in Customer Service Excellence, Information Technology, and Business Management. Training is designed to meet the needs of private sector partners to help bridge the gap between the military-connect population and skills the employers are seeking.
All in-person installation candidates begin O2O by completing an introductory professional development course, Onward to Your Career!, then move on to complete the courses in their selected learning pathways. Distance learners will have the opportunity to learn more about professional development offerings once they begin the online cohort.
| Career Track | Industry Specialization | Course Pathway | Industry Certification? | Certification Exam Prerequisites | Course Content Provider | Recommended Career Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | Entry Level IT Technician | Google IT Support Professional | No | N/A | Beginner | ||
| Information Technology | Cloud Services | AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials | Yes | None See AWS for complete details | AWS | Beginner | |
| Information Technology | Integration | Dell Boomi Professional Developer | Yes | None See Dell Boomi for complete details | Dell Boomi | Beginner | |
| Information Technology | Integration | Dell Boomi Professional Architect | Yes | None See Dell Boomi for complete details | Dell Boomi | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Integration | Dell Boomi Professional Administrator | Yes | None See Dell Boomi for complete details | Dell Boomi | Advanced | |
| Information Technology | Entry Level IT Technician | CompTIA A+ | Yes | Recommended: 1. 18-24 months IT experience. 2. 6-12 months hands-on experience in the lab or field See CompTIA for complete details | Skillsoft | Beginner | |
| Information Technology | Linux | CompTIA Linux+ | Yes | Recommended: Prior certification in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and 12 months of Linux admin experience See CompTIA for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Information Security | CompTIA Security+ | Yes | Recommended: CompTIA Network+ and two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus See CompTIA for complete details. | Skillsoft | Beginner | |
| Information Technology | Information Security | Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) | Yes | Required: 1. Minimum 1 year of cumulative paid full-time work experience in one or more of the 7 domains of the SSCP CBK ***Without required experience: you may sit for the exam and become an Associate of (ISC)² until you have gained the required experience. See (ISC)² for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Information Security | Information Systems Security Certified Professional (CISSP) | Yes | Required: 1. Minimum 5 years cumulative paid full-time work experience in two or more of the 8 domains of the (ISC)² CISSP CBK®. 2. Candidates may receive a one year experience waiver with a 4-year college degree, or regional equivalent or additional credential from the (ISC)² approved list, thus requiring four years of direct full-time professional security work experience in 2 or more of the 8 domains of the CISSP CBK. 3. Six years overall to earn experience to become a CISSP. ***Without required experience: student can become an Associate of (ISC)² by successfully passing the CISSP exam. See (ISC)² for complete details. | Skillsoft | Advanced | |
| Information Technology | Cyber Security | Global Information Assurance Certification GIAC - Three Course option | Yes | The GSEC, GCIH and GIAC elective certifications are delivered as part of the SANS Institute's CyberTalent VetSuccess Immersion Academy. Interested participants may inquire through IVMF and are required to complete the full application process with SANS to be considered for enrollment in an Academy. Participants must be able to attend the boot camp in person at the Academy location. See the SANS CyberTalent Immersion Academy website for Information about prerequisites, application process and certifications. | SANS Institute VetSuccess Academy | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Networking | CompTIA Network+ | Yes | Recommended: 1. CompTIA A+ Certification. 2. Nine months of networking experience See CompTIA for complete details. | Skillsoft | Beginner | |
| Information Technology | Networking | Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) | Yes | None See Cisco for complete details. | Skillsoft | Beginner | |
| Information Technology | Networking | Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) | Yes | None See Cisco for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Programming/Development | Java (SE7 Certification) | Yes | Required: 1. For Java SE 7 Programmer, the OCA level is a now a prerequisite to OCP, Java SE 7 Programmer. 2. For Java SE7 Programmer II exam, must complete Java SE 7 Programmer I first. See Oracle for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Programming/Development | Java (SE8 Certification) | Yes | Required: For Java SE8 Programmer II exam (1Z0-809), must posses Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE8 Programmer I certification. See Oracle for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Programming, Data Management | SAS Programming | SAS- SAS Certified Base Programmer | None | SAS | Beginner to Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Cloud Services | CompTIA Cloud+ | Yes | Recommended: 24 to 36 months of work experience in networking, storage or IT data center administration. Familiarity with any major hypervisor technologies for server virtualization. See CompTIA for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Server Systems | CompTIA Server+ | Yes | Recommended: 6-12 months hands-on experience in lab or field See CompTIA for complete details. | Skillsoft | Beginner | |
| Information Technology | Database Management | Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) | Yes | None See ITIL for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Database Management | Oracle 11G Database | Yes | None See Oracle for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Information Technology | Database Management | Oracle 12c Database | Yes | None See Oracle for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Business Management | Project Management | Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI - ACP) | Yes | Required: 1. 2,000 hours of general project experience working on teams. A current PMP or PgMP will satisfy this requirement but is not required to apply for the PMI-ACP. 2. 1,500 hours working on agile project teams or with agile methodologies. This requirement is in addition to the 2,000 hours of general project experience. 3. 21 contact hours of training in agile practices. See PMI for complete details. | Skillsoft | Advanced | |
| Business Management | Project Management | Project Management Professional (PMP) | Yes | Required: 1. Secondary degree & 7,500 hours PM experience OR Four year degree. 2. 4,500 hours PM experience. 3. 35 educational hours. See PMI for complete details. | Skillsoft | Advanced | |
| Business Management | Project Management | Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) | Yes | Required: 1. Secondary degree & 1,500 hours PM experience OR 23 educational hours. See PMI for complete details. | Skillsoft | Beginner | |
| Business Management | Six Sigma | Six Sigma (Green Belt) | Yes | Recommended: Three years of full time, paid work experience in one or more areas of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Business Management | Human Resources | aPHR | Yes | A high school diploma or global equivalent. See HRCI for complete details. | Skillsoft | Beginner | |
| Business Management | Human Resources | PHR | Yes | Required: • A minimum of 1 year of experience in a professional-level HR position with a Master's degree or higher, OR • A minimum of 2 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with a Bachelor's degree, OR • A minimum of 4 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with less than a Bachelor's degree. See HRCI for complete details. | Skillsoft | Intermediate | |
| Business Management | Human Resources | SPHR | Yes | Required: • A minimum of 4 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with a Master’s degree or higher, OR • A minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with a Bachelor’s degree, OR • A minimum of 7 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with less than a Bachelor's degree See HRCI for complete details. | Skillsoft | Advanced | |
| Customer Service Industry | Customer Service | Customer Service Excellence | N/A | N/A | Skillsoft | Beginner | |
| Customer Service Industry | Customer Service | Call Center Fundamentals | N/A | N/A | Skillsoft | Beginner | |
| CAREER TRACK | INDUSTRY SPECIALIZATION | COURSE PATHWAY | INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION? | CERTIFICATION EXAM PREREQUISITES | COURSE CONTENT PROVIDER | RECOMMENDED CAREER LEVEL |
In addition to pathways listed above, we are now accepting applications for the following upcoming pathways:
PLEASE NOTE: Not all pathways listed above lead to industry certification. Learn more about the CyberVetsUSA program and the pathways above.
“For military spouses like me, having the certifications that Onward to Opportunity helps you earn will give you a leg up on your competition in each new city you move to. The program really gave my resume the boost it needed by adding an additional certification, allowing me to be seen over the other candidates.”
Military Installation: Tri-Base Jacksonville
Six Sigma Green Belt (SSGB) Graduate
Industrial Engineer, Boeing
Haines, Dakota
Military Spouse (US NAVY)