Cybersecurity is a fast-growing field with a constant need for skilled professionals. But unlike other professions—like medicine or aviation—there’s no clear-cut pathway to qualifying for cybersecurity positions. For employers and job seekers alike, this can make the journey to building a team (or entering a successful cybersecurity career) feel uncertain.

Enter the registered apprenticeship program—a proven method for developing skilled talent in cybersecurity that benefits both the employer and the new professional.

What is a cybersecurity apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid, on-the-job training program where individuals learn essential skills while working alongside experienced professionals. Unlike traditional education paths, apprenticeships combine the best of both worlds: You can earn-while-you-learn and gain real-world experience in the field. The apprentice is guided by a mentor and can expect to gain expertise over one to two years, often culminating in a permanent full-time job.

Much like a medical resident or an aviation trainee, cybersecurity apprentices benefit from structured, hands-on learning. Mentorship ensures that they develop technical and workplace skills to gain the confidence needed to succeed. Successful apprenticeship program completers also earn one or more portable, nationally recognized and industry-valued credentials or certifications.

“The apprenticeship program has allowed me entry into a field and position that most can’t break into without a four-year degree,” says Brittany Patterson-Morris, an apprentice with Interapt, an IT services apprenticeship program.

Why cybersecurity apprenticeships matter

In 2023, nearly 61,000 individuals participated in a registered cybersecurity apprenticeship program in the U.S., a 254% increase in just five years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. This growth reflects a fundamental shift in how we prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. As Carla Miller from Albireo Energy put it, “It’s what we need to expand the workforce.”

For employers, apprenticeships can be an affordable way to build a workforce from the ground up, ensuring that new hires are trained with the specific skills they need. Chris Dunn, founder of Covered 6, says, “Our cybersecurity apprenticeship programs have helped us attract passionate candidates while lowering the time and cost barriers of traditional training.”

Employers can also use apprenticeships to upskill current employees, providing a career pathway to retain proven workers. For job seekers, apprenticeships offer a direct path to a career, complete with certifications and mentorship. “The key is blending intensive on-the-job practice with high-quality, up-to-date asynchronous learning,” says Ximena Gates, CEO of BuildWithin, an apprenticeship management software company built by former apprentices. “This is ideal for career changers and those without technical backgrounds, as skills can transfer from other disciplines.”

A way that employers can fast-track a new program is to partner with an intermediary. As the U.S. Department of Labor’s national industry intermediary for cybersecurity apprenticeship expansion, Safal Partners helps employers more quickly, easily, and effectively navigate registered apprenticeships.

“Employers of any size can join our already-approved National Registered Apprenticeship program, access no-cost apprenticeship expertise to build or expand their own program, utilize industry-built online coursework for their apprentices, and get ongoing program support to fund, modify, and sustain their program,” says Katie Adams, chief delivery officer at Safal Partners.

Ready to take action?

Whether you’re an employer looking to tap into the growing talent pool or a job seeker eager to launch a cybersecurity career, there are many resources to help. For example, you can:
• Visit the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship.gov site.
• Explore the NICE Apprenticeship Finder Map.
• Join the NICE Apprenticeships in Cybersecurity Community.
• Check out the NICE Cybersecurity Apprenticeships Community One-Pager.
• Explore the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity to get familiar with the work roles as well as related knowledge, skills, and tasks involved in this growing field.

By investing in apprenticeships, you’re not only supporting the next wave of cybersecurity professionals—you’re also helping ensure your organization stays ahead in a field that’s more crucial than ever.

Published Nov. 18, 2024, in NIST Cybersecurity Insights.