Apprenticeship takes off for tech

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, we highlight the critical need to defend our digital world, emphasize how a well-maintained posture of cybersecurity affects every aspect of our lives, and celebrate workers who protect our data and technologies from malicious hackers and cyber threats. 

Recent data from the Commerce Department shows 650,000 job openings in the cybersecurity field and it is projected that a shortage of skilled talent or human error will soon contribute to over half of all significant cybersecurity incidents. We need more cybersecurity analysts, penetration testers, incident responders and other workers with cybersecurity skills to keep us safe. We take this seriously and our Office of Apprenticeship is collaborating with employers to develop robust training curriculums. 

To help address the critical need for skilled talent, hundreds of cybersecurity apprentices are actively filling these roles—helping address this critical need for skilled talent. In fact, there has been a more than 200% increase in active tech programs over the past five years. 

While industry reports indicate 20-25% of cybersecurity roles are held by women, the percentage of women training in cybersecurity-related Registered Apprenticeship programs is closer to 30%. There are similar positive trends for other underrepresented populations in cybersecurity. 

Take Faith Weems’ story for example. With no background working in IT, Faith successfully applied for CivilianCyber’s Registered Apprenticeship program in 2021. With her mentor’s support and colleagues’ encouragement, Faith pivoted to become an engineering program compliance coordinator at Moog, Inc., marking a notable advancement in her career. The foundational cybersecurity training from the Registered Apprenticeship program widely expanded her opportunities for growth.

We hope you’ll help us celebrate Faith’s journey and the power of Registered Apprenticeship to equip businesses and our nation with the talent we need to protect our country from digital threats. The 10th Annual National Apprenticeship Week, November 17-23, 2024, is around the corner. This year we recognize the engagement, expansion and innovation of Registered Apprenticeship over the past decade, including its growth in non-traditional occupations in fields such as cybersecurity. 

Get Involved in National Apprenticeship Week

With hundreds of National Apprenticeship Week events already added to apprenticeship.gov, we encourage you to visit the site and find one you can attend. Search virtual and in-person options by industry, event type and more. 

You can also find resources to develop and post your own event or proclamation or join a community of Registered Apprenticeship champions across the country. Need ideas? Check out last year’s report and watch a public webinar to learn how to get involved! We look forward to celebrating with you. 

John Ladd is the administrator for the Office of Apprenticeship in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.