Building a Successful Veteran and Military Spouse Apprenticeship Program in Cybersecurity with the Department of Labor and RapidAscent

As the cybersecurity industry continues to sprout/grow, the demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals is always increasing and is doing so rapidly. There are between 700,000 to 1 million open corporate cybersecurity positions across all industries. On the Department of Defense (DOD) contractor side there are up to 1.8 million cybersecurity openings.

One way companies can meet this demand is by building an apprenticeship program for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. By partnering with educational institutions and leveraging resources from the Department of Labor, companies can provide structured on-the-job training that combines classroom instruction with real-world experience. Additionally, partnering with RapidAscent can provide apprentices with the skills and certifications needed to succeed in cybersecurity roles.

Building a Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program

The Department of Labor offers many resources and programs to help companies build apprenticeship programs that can benefit employers and apprentices. Here are the steps to building a successful Department of Labor apprenticeship program:

1. Develop a plan: Determine the specific job roles and skills that the apprenticeship program will target. Identify the training and resources needed to support the program.
2. Partner with educational institutions: Partner with educational institutions to provide classroom instruction and ensure that the apprenticeship program meets industry standards.
3. Register the program: Register the apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor to receive assistance with recruiting and identifying qualified apprentices.
4. Recruit apprentices: Recruit transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses who have the potential to succeed in the apprenticeship program.
5. Train and mentor apprentices: Provide structured on-the-job training and mentorship to apprentices. Evaluate progress and provide feedback throughout the program.
6. Train hiring managers, recruiters, and key leadership stakeholders: about the value of hiring veterans and military spouses, where to find them, how to train them, and how to retain them. There are support organizations that can help you with this such as the non-profit VETS2INDUSTRY
7. Graduation and hiring: Graduation from the apprenticeship program should lead to a job offer from the employer. The employer can also continue to provide mentorship and support to graduates as they continue to develop in their career.
8. Know about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) : which provides up to $9,600 of tax credit for hiring veterans and military spouses. This can considerably stack up if your company wants to become a Veteran-ready company. This request to the IRS for the WOTC must be sent in with the forms that HR sends to the IRS showing a new employee was hired. You cannot apply for the WOTC post-hiring even if you have lots of Veterans and military spouses in your company already.

RapidAscent: The Best Choice for Cybersecurity Apprenticeships

RapidAscent is a cybersecurity training program designed to help transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses gain the skills and certifications needed to enter the cybersecurity field. The program consists of a three-month training course that covers key topics in cybersecurity such as risk management, network security, and ethical hacking. By partnering with RapidAscent, companies can onboard apprentices who have completed the program and gained valuable cybersecurity skills. RapidAscent provides apprentices with the training and certifications needed to succeed in cybersecurity roles, while companies can provide the structured on-the-job training and mentorship needed to develop these skills further.

Why RapidAscent is the Best Choice for Cybersecurity Apprenticeships

1. Hands-on Keyboard Experience: RapidAscent’s program is built on hands-on keyboard, virtual and gamified job simulator that puts the apprentice in the driver’s seat. By learning through experience, apprentices gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed in cybersecurity roles.
2. High-Quality Curriculum: RapidAscent’s curriculum is developed and taught by cybersecurity experts with real-world experience. This ensures that apprentices learn from the best in the industry and receive high-quality training.
3. Industry-Recognized Certifications: RapidAscent’s program includes industry-recognized certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). These certifications are recognized by employers and help apprentices stand out in a crowded job market.
4. Flexibility: RapidAscent’s program is delivered online, with instructor led sessions which means that apprentices can learn remotely from the comfort of their home. This makes it easier for apprentices to balance their training with other responsibilities such as work and family.
5. Support: RapidAscent provides ongoing support to apprentices even after they have completed the program. This includes job placement assistance, career coaching, and access to a community of cybersecurity professionals.

Conclusion

Building an apprenticeship program for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses is a win-win for both employers and apprentices. By partnering with educational institutions and leveraging resources from the Department of Labor, companies can build successful apprenticeship programs that address skill shortages and provide a pipeline of qualified candidates for open positions. By partnering with RapidAscent, companies can onboard apprentices who have gained valuable cybersecurity skills and certifications through a structured training program. With the right resources and support, transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses can successfully transition to civilian careers in cybersecurity and help meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.