Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program at UCCS hosts “Closing the Skills Gap: Advancing Cybersecurity Apprenticeships” for National Apprenticeship Week

The C-CAP Cybersecurity Analyst Program at UCCS is designed to prepare apprentices for mid-level and advanced-level roles in one of the fastest growing sectors in the nation. Photo credit: Sigmund, via Unsplash.

Earlier this month, UCCS’ Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program (C-CAP) celebrated the U.S. Department of Labor’s seventh annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) with a panelist-driven event, “Closing the Skills Gap: Advancing Cybersecurity Apprenticeships” on November 9th at 12 p.m.

NAW was established by the U.S. Department of Labor to celebrate the significant impact Registered Apprenticeship programs have had in re-building our economy, advancing racial and gender equity and supporting underserved communities.

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, hundreds of events and activities took place across the country, including open houses, skill competitions, community forums, apprentice graduations, business open houses, high school and college career fairs, apprenticeship signing days, industry roundtable events, diversity and inclusion dialogues and more.

Panelists from C-CAP’s National Apprenticeship Week program, “Closing the Skills Gap: Advancing Cybersecurity Apprenticeships.”

“Registered Apprenticeship is a proven way for community members to obtain pathways to secure, high-paying careers in cybersecurity,” said Julia Costin, Associate Director of Corporate Apprenticeships for C-CAP.

“We are proud to support National Apprenticeship Week and to showcase the impact apprenticeships have on building the workforce in this country.”

This event featured updates on the Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program along with information on local workforce development apprenticeship resources and initiatives. Participants heard from Karen Markel, Dean of the UCCS College of Business, who spoke about the UCCS apprenticeship program’s current impact.

Other panelists included Gurvirender Tejay, Associate Professor of Information Systems for the UCCS College of Business, representatives from Pikes Peak Workforce Center, the Idaho Workforce Development Council and the co-founder of the British Standards Institute Group. Each panelist discussed industry initiatives as well as apprenticeship resources and best practices.

The C-CAP Cybersecurity Analyst Program is designed to prepare apprentices for mid-level and advanced-level roles in one of the fastest growing sectors in the nation. Through a series of college courses, boot camps and workplace-relevant training, apprentices will satisfy the requirements to achieve an academic certificate in cybersecurity management and an industry-recognized credential in cybersecurity.

To learn more about the Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program, visit the C-CAP website.

About National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a nationwide celebration that offers established by the U.S. Department of Labor to bring together leading business, labor, education, apprentices, and other critical partners to showcase the impact Registered Apprenticeship programs have on building the American workforce, as well as highlight the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for re-building our economy, advancing racial and gender equity and supporting underserved communities. Registered Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to assist and propel individuals who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality by allowing apprentices to earn while they learn and providing a pathway to well-paying careers.

About the UCCS College of Business

The UCCS College of Business was established in 1965 and has more than 1,300 undergraduates and 350 MBA students. The College of Business and Administration awards the Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Innovation degrees. The Graduate School of Business Administration awards the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Executive Doctor of Business Administration degrees. More than 10,000 alumni of the College of Business live and work around the world. For more information, visit business.uccs.edu.

About Cybersecurity at UCCS

UCCS is a recognized cybersecurity education leader in the region, awarding hundreds of degrees each year in cybersecurity fields at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. UCCS cybersecurity programs train security professionals who work to ensure the nation’s security, support faculty research and strategic cybersecurity partnerships with industry, government, military and academic institutions, including the U.S. Space Force and the National Cybersecurity Center.  Due to generous Colorado state funding of cybersecurity education, UCCS students are eligible for significant financial aid towards security degree scholarships. Learn more about Cybersecurity Programs at UCCS.