With the seemingly never-ending flood of cyberattacks, companies and governments around the globe need experienced, skilled professionals to protect and defend national, state and corporate interests.
Now, employers have a pathway to hire and train cybersecurity apprentices. Tidewater Community College, which is based in Norfolk and operates a campus in Virginia Beach, will provide the educational component for what is considered the first cybersecurity apprenticeship programs in Virginia.
The college recently was designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
“TCC is proud to be an educational partner for cybersecurity apprentice education,” said college President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani. “It’s another example of our commitment to helping employers address their workforce needs.”
Formally approved by the Virginia Apprenticeship Council on June 16, the three new registered Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VDOLI) apprenticeships in cybersecurity occupations are as follows:
- Information Security Analyst – Cyber Security Analyst;
- Information Security Analyst – Computer Forensics Analyst; and
- Information Security Analyst – Incident Response Analyst.
The Virginia Apprenticeship Council established the knowledge and skills registered apprentices in cybersecurity must learn and demonstrate.
TCC has partnered with Peregrine Technical Solutions of Yorktown to provide the cybersecurity apprenticeships beginning this fall.
“As we launch the first cybersecurity apprenticeship in the commonwealth, we are delighted to be part of the solution to train highly skilled professionals to protect and defend data and resources,” said Leigh Armistead, president of Peregrine Technical Solutions and a member of the TCC Workforce Advisory Board.
Todd Estes, director of TCC’s Apprenticeship Institute, said, “We now have an approved model for cybersecurity training that will enable additional businesses to join the VDOLI approved program.”
“With an 18 percent job growth expected for cybersecurity professionals across the nation, the time is now to prepare cybersecurity professionals for both the national and state sectors,” Estes said.
Robert Guess, director of TCC’s cyber security program, noted the regional significance of the new program.
“With Hampton Roads home to the world’s largest Navy base and thriving ports, it’s essential that TCC’s graduates are prepared to protect our nation’s cyber resources,” Guess said.
“We’ve had long-standing relationships with the region’s school systems, four-year institutions, employers and governmental agencies to develop the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, and these apprenticeship programs are a great next step in our training offerings,” he said.
For more information about TCC’s apprenticeship programs in Hampton Roads, email Estes at mestes@tcc.edu.
