The National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC), led by Miami Dade College, has launched the CompTIA AI Educators Cohort in collaboration with CompTIA to expand access to AI training and credentials for high school educators across the United States. The initiative offers free, online professional development designed to help teachers build foundational AI literacy and integrate AI concepts into their existing curricula. The inaugural cohort will provide 100 high school educators with full access to CompTIA’s training resources and support to earn two industry-recognized credentials: CompTIA AI Essentials and CompTIA AI Prompting Essentials. The program runs from April 7 to May 29, is self-paced, and delivered entirely online at no cost to participants. CompTIA AI Essentials serves as an introductory course, covering core AI principles and practical applications of generative AI tools, including how to craft effective prompts and assess AI-generated outputs. The companion course, CompTIA AI Prompting Essentials, equips educators with hands-on skills to apply AI in classroom instruction and daily workflows. “This partnership is about empowering teachers to prepare students for the future of work,” said Mark Plunkett, executive vice president of sales and go-to-market strategy at CompTIA. “AI is no longer just for tech careers—it’s a foundational skill across all industries. By supporting educators, we’re helping ensure students are ready for meaningful employment opportunities.” NAAIC’s mission is to democratize applied AI education by leveraging the nation’s most accessible education infrastructure. By training high school teachers early in the talent pipeline, the consortium aims to ensure students receive workforce-aligned, responsible AI education that prepares them for college and careers. “By partnering with CompTIA, NAAIC is bridging the gap between education and industry,” said Antonio Delgado, vice president of Innovation and Technology Partnerships at Miami Dade College and founder of NAAIC. “We’re providing educators with industry-validated, affordable learning solutions and credentials that matter.” Participants will complete the program through the CompTIA CertMaster platform, with guidance from a certified instructor and structured support sessions. The cohort is limited to 100 educators, and applications are open now. NAAIC is a national initiative connecting academic institutions, industry leaders, and educators to build a strong, inclusive AI talent pipeline. Led by Miami Dade College, Houston City College, and Maricopa Community Colleges, it focuses on bringing cutting-edge, industry-informed AI education to educators and students nationwide. CompTIA, a global leader in vendor-neutral IT training and certification, supports millions of learners and career changers by offering industry-recognized credentials and career resources. Through partnerships with thousands of academic institutions, CompTIA helps students develop job-ready skills in technology and AI.