The UCCS C-CAP Cybersecurity Penetration and Vulnerability Tester program, designed to prepare cybersecurity apprentices for roles in one of the fastest growing fields in the nation, has been named a Registered Apprenticeship Program in the state of Colorado.
The program, part of UCCS’ Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program (C-CAP), is supported by BSI Group, Inc., a globally recognized business improvement and standards company. It is designed to prepare apprentices for roles in identifying flaws and weaknesses in cybersecurity programs — one of the fastest growing cybersecurity fields in the nation, as Colorado alone had open positions for 22,764 cybersecurity professionals from April–March 2021.
Through a series of college courses, boot camps and workplace-relevant training, apprentices satisfy the requirements to achieve an academic certificate in cybersecurity management and an industry-recognized credential in cybersecurity.
“We are proud to be recognized as a Registered Apprenticeship Program [RAP] in the state of Colorado,” said Karen Markel, dean of the UCCS College of Business. “RAPs represent the highest standard of excellence for apprenticeships nationwide and we are thrilled to offer aspiring cybersecurity analysts a high quality, industry-recognized pathway to reach their career goals.”
The announcement comes at a time when an increasing number of employers and workers are recognizing the benefits of apprenticeships. According to apprenticeship.gov, apprentices earn an average of $300,000 more throughout their careers than those who did not hold an apprenticeship, with an average starting salary of $72,000. 92 percent of apprentices retain employment at the completion of their program. In 2020, more than 221,000 individuals nationwide entered the apprenticeship system.
“Registered apprenticeship programs help employers find creative solutions to their workforce challenges such as addressing skills gaps and solving retention concerns,” said Katherine Keegan, Director of the Office of Future of Work. “Apprenticeship programs are a proven workforce development strategy that offer hands-on learning opportunities to aspiring professionals and a steady pipeline of highly skilled workforce talent to employers. Employers who adopt registered apprenticeship programs will not only be advancing their business goals, they’ll also be benefiting society at large by expanding access to employment opportunities.”
“The UCCS Colorado Cybersecurity Analyst Apprenticeship Program (C-CAP) is an essential source to providing future, well-trained talent to our cybersecurity team at BSI,” said Kristin Demoranville, Global Practice Director, Cyber Risk Advisory, Cybersecurity and Information Resilience, BSI. “I am excited to have a source of candidates with industry-leading training and various previous career paths outside of cybersecurity. Apprentices from the C-CAP program will enrich both BSI and our clients. It’s an inspiring time!”
UCCS was awarded nearly $6 million in grant funding from the USDOL to administer C-CAP with the goal of serving students across 10 states. C-CAP is focused on developing a diverse pool of cybersecurity talent, with an emphasis on underemployed and underrepresented populations, including women, minorities, and military members. In addition to the Cybersecurity Analyst Program, C-CAP aims to register four apprenticeship programs to align with industry needs for consultants, IT auditors, penetration and vulnerability testers and managers.
The U.S. Department of Labor established standards for Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) to advance the development of high-quality apprenticeship opportunities in the United States. RAPs provide apprentices with education, training, mentorship and credentials to succeed in their chosen industry. UCCS is one of the first higher education institutions to seek funding with the USDOL to expand apprenticeship opportunities in cybersecurity.
Learn more and apply
UCCS C-CAP is currently accepting applications for the 2022. To learn more about the program, please visit the UCCS C-CAP website. If you are an employer interested in learning more about apprenticeships or hiring apprentices, please contact Julia Costin at [email protected]. For support in launching an apprenticeship program, contact [email protected] to be connected to an apprenticeship consultant, who can guide you through the process of creating and registering an apprenticeship.
About the University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers 50 bachelor’s, 24 master’s and seven doctoral degree programs. UCCS enrolls about 12,000 students on campus annually. For more information, visit uccs.edu.
About BSI Cybersecurity Information and Resilience
BSI is the business improvement and standards company that enables organizations to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence, ‘inspiring trust for a more resilient world’. For over a century BSI has driven best practice in organizations around the world. Working with over 77,500 clients across 195 countries, it is a truly global business with skills and experience across all sectors including automotive, aerospace, built environment, food and retail and healthcare. Through its expertise in Standards and Knowledge, Assurance Services, Regulatory Services and Consulting Services, BSI helps clients to improve their performance, grow sustainably, manage risk and ultimately become more resilient.
To learn more, please visit: www.bsigroup.com
About the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s (CDLE) vision is to create a working economy that elevates all of Colorado. In pursuit of this vision, the 1,300-person state agency’s six divisions help the state’s employers and workers prosper: employers benefit from CDLE’s work to improve Colorado’s talent pipeline, its recruitment assistance, its economic updates, and more. The agency helps workers with and without disabilities pursue their career goals through job training, job search assistance, and career counseling. CDLE works to help workers, employers, and communities thrive by ensuring fair labor practices, providing unemployment insurance, and protecting Colorado communities through consumer protection and safety programs. CDLE is primarily funded through federal and cash funds. Factors that influence its work and funding include federal legislation, budgets, and the state’s economic health.