Registered Apprenticeship Is a Proven Solution to the Cybersecurity Talent Shortage
There are approximately 700,000 cybersecurity roles open in America. It’s no wonder this country faces a national security challenge — a challenge that “must be tackled aggressively,” according to the White House. Cybersecurity is a critical field; its purpose is to protect crucial computer systems and sensitive information from being compromised in the event of unauthorized access or attack.
Cybersecurity impacts businesses of all sizes, including small businesses. In fact, about half of all cyberattacks target small businesses, and 68% of small businesses have experienced a cyberattack in the last 12 months. Additionally, the cost of a cyber attack can be astronomical — $3.92 million on average for a large company, IBM’s 2019 Cost of a Data Breach Report found. A data breach can cost a small business anywhere from $120,000 to $1.24 million, on average.
Cybersecurity workforce challenges impact productivity and profitability
Cybersecurity is vital to the United States’ economic competitiveness. The challenge? Significant talent shortages are slowing employers’ efforts to expand, innovate, and excel. Among these challenges:
- Developing talent that can keep pace with the latest technology advances and rapidly escalating cyber threats
- Finding and hiring a motivated workforce
- Retaining skilled workers
- Providing employer-customized training
These workforce challenges hinder employer productivity and profitability. The good news? There is a solution to address these talent challenges: Registered Apprenticeship. Registered Apprenticeship is a proven and industry-driven workforce development model that can provide a consistent talent pipeline into your organization.
Registered Apprenticeship benefits employers and workers
Employers in the cybersecurity field across the U.S. and among its global competitors use Registered Apprenticeship to recruit, train, and retain workers with the right skills. Employers who opt to leverage Registered Apprenticeship to solve for the cybersecurity skills shortage are in good company. There are currently 714 registered apprenticeship programs and 42,260 apprentices in cybersecurity-related occupations. Since Jan. 20, 2021, 199 new programs have been created — a 28% increase, according to the Department of Labor (DOL).
Registered Apprenticeship has been the most effective training model for enhancing companies’ performance and competitiveness, also according to the DOL. It is industry-driven, and a high-quality career pathway that employers can tap into to develop and prepare their future workforce. Individuals can obtain paid work experience, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.
Organizations that hire cybersecurity and related IT employees realize a number of benefits from implementing Registered Apprenticeship programs. Through apprenticeship, organizations will:
- Vet workers with the right aptitude and attitude to instill the company’s culture
- Recruit and develop a talented and highly skilled workforce
- Improve productivity, profitability, and the company’s bottom line
- Reduce turnover, improve loyalty, and retain top talent
- Demonstrate investment in the community
- Gain access to federal, state, and local support for your program through apprenticeship, workforce, and education systems
Cybersecurity sprint encourages employers to explore Registered Apprenticeship
In July, the White House, DOL, and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a 120-Day Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sprint to promote the Registered Apprenticeship model as a solution for numerous industries to develop and train a skilled cybersecurity workforce. Apprenti was identified as one of three key organizations to participate in the Sprint.
The Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sprint is a national campaign to encourage employers, industry associations, labor unions, and training providers to explore Registered Apprenticeship as a recruitment, training, and retention strategy.
The Sprint’s goals include:
- Increase awareness of current successful cybersecurity-related Registered Apprenticeship programs, partnerships, and initiatives and how they’re helping the industry educate and train a skilled cybersecurity workforce to reduce cybersecurity risk.
- Connect career seekers to cybersecurity apprenticeship opportunities.
The sprint will continue until National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 14-20, 2022.
Apprenti can help bridge the talent gap
Apprenti is a national leader in registered apprenticeship. It offers a registered technology apprenticeship that helps adults launch a successful technology career. Apprenti is open to all job seekers but specifically focuses on supporting women, people of color, Veterans, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups to gain access to careers in tech.
Apprenti occupations in cybersecurity include Cybersecurity Analyst, Network Security Admin, Cloud Operations Specialist, and more.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. There’s no better time to evaluate your cybersecurity workforce and make sure you’re prepared in the event of a breach or attack on your company. Learn more about partnering with Apprenti to tap into Registered Apprenticeship as a viable pathway to recruit, train, and retain your cybersecurity talent.
And check out the WTIA Economic Impact Dashboard for more detailed information on the tech industry’s impact on the U.S. economy, and to view workforce data on cybersecurity and other roles across the country.
Apprenti and Epic Games Partner to Deliver Innovative Real Engine Apprenticeship Opportunities
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today’s video gamers demand immersive, interactive experiences. Although 3D technology has evolved to meet that demand, the gaming industry faces an endemic talent shortage of developers and programmers to bring those experiences to life. As such, employers’ desire for candidates with Unreal Engine (the gaming engine developed by Epic Games that powers many 3D video games) and real-time technology skills is exploding, outpacing average IT technology skills by 50% and growing 10% faster than the overall job market worldwide. To meet this unprecedented demand for new talent, gaming studios and companies will need to reimagine the hiring process to build a more competitive workforce.
To that end, Apprenti has partnered with Epic Games, an interactive entertainment company and provider of 3D engine technology, to introduce new Unreal Engine-based apprenticeships that will extend the many opportunities of real-time technology and create new pathways to success for both gaming studios and the talent they hire. Epic Games will jumpstart the program by matching a $100k grant from the Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeships. The gaming studio will also provide access to its Unreal Authorized Training Centers, providing support and world-class training through CG Spectrum to deliver support and world-class training to help meet the overwhelming requirement for Unreal Engine skills, like 3D graphics and real-time 3D, in the workforce. Apprenti has also received a grant from the Schultz Family Foundation to cover training costs for a young adult pilot cohort, up to 150 people, that will launch Apprenti’s work in the gaming space.
The apprenticeship program and the skills apprentices will gain are broadly applicable beyond the gaming industry. To that end, Apprenti will also seek additional investments to rapidly accelerate a nationally registered gaming apprenticeship program specific to fill much-needed roles across a multitude of industries, including gaming, automotive, and architecture, assisting a wide range of sectors on their mission to close the talent gap.
“The content created by the gaming industry needs to include the viewpoints of its consumers. It’s imperative that game developers reflect the makeup of end-users,” said Jennifer Carlson, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Apprenti. “Beyond this, an apprenticeship based on Unreal Engine skills will provide a pathway to careers not just in gaming but in broad industries such as film, television, advertising, and manufacturing. We are proud to partner with Epic Games and help qualified individuals explore lucrative careers in interactive media.”
“As the demand for real-time skills continues to grow, apprenticeship programs not only offer an effective solution to the tech talent gap, they also have the potential to enrich the lives of people and communities, connecting them with invaluable resources and opportunities,“ said Julie Lottering, Director of Unreal Engine Education, Epic Games.” At Epic, we’re working alongside Apprenti to deliver Unreal Engine apprenticeship programs for games, media and entertainment, and beyond. This partnership is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential industry-transcending impact and we couldn’t be more excited for the future.”
Industry training and mentorship will be provided by CG Spectrum. “We are excited to collaborate with Epic and Apprenti on this initiative. This co-investment will allow us to work closely with Epic’s customers and industry leaders to train and inspire creators while leveraging the Apprenti model to increase access to expert-led development and coaching across these industries,” noted Jeremy Chinn, Global Chief Operating Officer, CG Spectrum.
Operating nationally, Apprenti has placed apprentices at the largest companies in the United States, including Amazon, PayPal, Wayfair, Liberty Mutual, and JPMorgan Chase, among many others. Apprenti’s proven success provides a pathway to tech careers for apprentices from non-traditional employment and educational backgrounds.
To learn more about Apprenti, visit https://apprenticareers.org/.
For employers interested in becoming hiring partners, go to https://apprenticareers.org/hire/.
To learn more about apprenticeship opportunities or to apply for the program, check out https://apprenticareers.org/apply/. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]