Building & Elevating Pathways Into Cybersecurity Careers in Ireland
THE CHALLENGE The culmination of rapid corporate expansion, and a growing burden of global cyber- security risks created a “perfect storm” situation for Ireland’s tech sector, in which the demand for local cybersecurity talent far outpaced the supply. Rather than allowing the storm to pass, Ireland’s premier technical skills education and training provider, FIT (Fastrack to Information Technology), chose to respond to the vast demand for local tech talent that was precipitated by Ireland’s dramatic cybersecurity boom.
FIT, established in 1999, has largely been a lone player in Ireland in terms of addressing the skills requirements for the country’s booming tech infrastructure and increasingly digital economy. Upskilling the local workforce to enter and compete within a largely globalised, digitised workforce is and will be a key challenge for FIT in the years ahead. Recognising the value of industry-recognised training in apprentice- ships FIT approached global tech association CompTIA in 2016 to assist with the development of a cybersecurity-specific apprenticeship; the first of its kind in Ireland.
THE SOLUTION FIT chose to partner with CompTIA in order to build a cybersecurity- specific apprenticeship that would become the first of its kind in Ireland. The apprenticeship; with its built-in, industry-recognised certifications and learning products, would allow many more people to become qualified and find gainful employment locally. FIT’s unique position in understanding the magnitude of the opportunity would help to transform the national tech sector and improve the caliber of local cybersecurity talent.
THE RESULTS To-date, many FIT supported apprentices have pursued the FIT cybersecurity apprenticeship and unlocked prized CompTIA ITF+, Network+, Security+, PenTest+ and CASP+ certifications through this “earn while you learn” model. This apprenticeship has become the first component of a larger plan by FIT to offer customisable programs based on the unique needs of the organisation and ensure more home-grown talent is available to fill in-demand tech roles throughout the country.
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