On Jan. 25 Cumberland County Workforce Development celebrated graduates of a Cybersecurity Pre-Apprenticeship program with a ceremony at Bordeaux Library. The pre-apprenticeship program is for young adults ages 14 through 25 and was held at the Cumberland County NC Works Career Center in October and November.
Raleigh-based ISG Cybersecurity Talent Development teamed up with Cumberland County Workforce Development last fall for the program. There were 18 graduates in the inaugural class. ISG launched the Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program in 2016 with a goal of helping entry-level apprentices advance from mid to senior level skills in two years.
The apprenticeship program helps meet industry demand for cybersecurity professionals and helps young people establish a career path in the IT field. Pre-apprentice graduates will enter the next phase at Fayetteville Technical Community College to obtain certifications for continued education in cybersecurity. The next cybersecurity pre-apprentice program starts in April. Applicants must go through the NC Works Career Center, located at 414 Ray Ave., Fayetteville.
“This is the first IT pre-apprentice program in North Carolina. Once these young adults complete this program, which will take them less than two years, they will be certified in cybersecurity with the ability to make a minimum of $45,000 annually,” said Cumberland County Workforce Development Director Nedra Rodriguez.
“The cybersecurity course was very informative and helped me understand more about computers,” said Ian McLaurin, a Cape Fear High School graduate who is one of the cybersecurity graduates. “I was already good with computers, but the course gave me that extra push I needed to understand computer function.”
“The NC Works Career Center has been so helpful with me, with the cybersecurity program and information about internships,” McLaurin said. “I know if I need anything, I have a team behind me I can go to for help.”
The Cumberland County NC Works Career is located at 414 Ray Ave., Fayetteville. The career center assists veterans and job seekers with the resources they need to succeed. For more information about the career center, go to co.cumberland.nc.us/career-center. The Workforce Development Board is appointed and governed by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.