The 10 Best Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Programs To Jumpstart Your Career

A career in Cybersecurity is a great way to ensure that you're never out of work.

Due to the broad scope and ever-changing nature of Cybersecurity, there's always something new to learn and adapt to stay relevant and employable in your field. This is true even if you've been at it for years; change happens everywhere all the time, in every industry. It's one of the reasons why so many people are so anxious about the future.

Another thing that keeps Cybersecurity professionals employed is this: companies can never have too many talented individuals working for them because it's through their combined talents that they hope to gain any advantage over their competitors. This is why skilled Cybersecurity professionals are in such high demand. And the demand only seems to be increasing over time with no sign of slowing down.

The Job Landscape in Cybersecurity

Recent reports have shown that there's a shortage of skilled Cybersecurity workers in both the public and private sectors when it comes to dealing with threats in today's world. The shortage is expected to reach 1.8 million globally by 2022 for the private sector and about 400,000 for governments worldwide.

There's no doubt that there's a lot of money to be made in Cybersecurity as well, especially if you're the one who ends up finding or solving problems at your place of employment before they reach the point of no return. This is why it's said that forensics experts make the best Cybersecurity investigators; they're always looking for potential threats and problems before anyone else notices, which makes them invaluable to their employers.

But just because there are so many reasons to want to pursue a career in Cybersecurity doesn't mean it's easy to break into the field. There are so many different kinds of careers in Cybersecurity, so many important skills that are required for each one, and only a handful of universities across the United States where one can learn even some of those skills.

Cybersecurity Apprenticeships: A Non-Traditional Way To Start Your Career

According to recent reports, however, there may be another way to get started in this exciting field that doesn't require a college degree or the investment of thousands upon thousands of dollars. That path is through Cybersecurity apprenticeships, and according to experts working in the field, these types of apprenticeships are just as valid as university-based programs for learning how to be an effective Cybersecurity professional.

Apprenticeships are said to be especially great for those students who don't want to spend four (or more) years in college before they can get started with their careers. The downside of this approach is that you usually won't develop the same skill set as someone who has taken all of the required courses for a degree. The upside is that you'll be able to start work as soon as possible and begin to climb the ladder towards success in this highly profitable field much faster than those who have chosen other career paths.

To grow, this industry needs more skilled Cybersecurity professionals from all walks of life. This is why apprenticeship programs are so valuable. No matter where you're from, what your background is, or how much money you have to spend on education, there's a place for you in Cybersecurity as long as you have the required skills and knowledge.

The best part about these programs is that they focus on real-world experience, which means you'll be learning all of the skills you need to know to land a career in Cybersecurity while you're still friends with your instructors. And by working side-by-side with them, you'll develop some pretty strong relationships that could lead to even greater opportunities down the line.

If you're ready to get started with your Cybersecurity career, there's no better time than now. And if you want to be a part of the Cybersecurity revolution, check out employment opportunities right away and don't wait.

The Best Cyber Security Apprenticeship Programs

1. Purdue Cyber Apprenticeship Program

Eligibility Requirements: 18+ and a U.S. citizen or green card holder with a High School diploma

Imagine working for a company that pays you a salary and for your education, while you get on-the-job training and practical industry experience. The Purdue Cyber Apprenticeship Program promises exactly that. While in the program, you can earn an associate degree in IT, a Bachelor of Science degree in computer and information science majoring in cybersecurity or a Master of Science in cybersecurity and trusted systems.

On top of that, you will be able to take part in paid, organized courses and earn industry-recognized credentials, as well as obtain additional specialized certificates while also earning a full-time income.

2. Cisco Apprenticeships

Eligibility Requirements: Cisco Apprenticeships are open worldwide and have different eligibility requirements based on location

Cisco offers apprenticeships across the globe with varying durations and eligibility requirements. In the U.K. it is a rotational degree apprenticeship with a 3-year curriculum that allows you to design your own apprenticeship experience based on your interests, involvement, and objectives.

The three-year program is extremely well structured and broken up into three parts. In the first year, apprentices go through an induction boot camp with 3 month exposure rotations and degree modules to build a technical foundation. In the second year, the focus is on 6-month 'skill' rotations and completing degree modules based on career aspirations. Finally, in the third year, apprentices get a chance to refine their skills via a 12-month rotation and a 'major project' dissertation followed by a graduation ceremony.

3. GCHQ Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship

Eligibility Requirements: 17+ at the start of the program and a British citizen

Successful applicants will be offered a wage while they learn, as well as all of the benefits that you would get from a Civil Service employer, alongside the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in the workplace.

During the three-year program, apprentices study in state-of-the-art facilities with university-delivered classroom and lab education, as well as technical training, mentoring, and job shadowing. After completing the three-year Degree Apprenticeship and demonstrating academic performance, there is a chance to be offered a full-time position based on performance.

4. Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program

Eligibility Requirements: 18+ and a U.S. citizen or green card holder with a High School diploma

The Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program, often known as C-CAP, provides budding cybersecurity professionals with the academic and skills-based expertise they need to pursue mid-level and expert-level security jobs in the state.

Within the program, apprentices will be well-versed in cybersecurity topics through a variety of industry-aligned college courses, boot camps, and on-the-job training. The program is administered 100% online, and participants also receive on-the-job training.

Apprentices will also need to complete 3 courses (totaling 12 credits), along with additional boot camps and courses on industry-recognized certifications. At the end of the program, apprentices obtain a Certificate of Completion of the C-CAP Cybersecurity Analyst Program and a UCCS Certificate in Cybersecurity Management. The 12 credits obtained while in the apprenticeship can be applied towards a B.S. in Business with Emphasis in Cybersecurity Management or Information Systems.

5. Lockheed Martin Cybersecurity Apprenticeship

Eligibility Requirements: Only open U.S. citizens

At Lockheed Martin, Apprenticeships are available for people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're a high school or college student, a veteran transitioning to the civilian sector, or someone in between - they've got a job profile that could fit your needs. Currently. they are offering over 70 apprenticeship and training programs and have pledged to create 8,000 new apprenticeship and training slots by 2023.

There are multiple apprenticeship roles at Lockheed Marting, from aircraft maintenance and software to cyber security and engineering. The programs are designed to help apprentices by both fast-tracking their education, and expanding their understanding of the tech while getting paid to do so. Apprentices are supported by mentorship and hands-on learning.

6. Microsoft's Cybersecurity Engineer Apprenticeship

Eligibility Requirements: Authorization to work in the United States for the entire duration of Leap apprenticeship

As part of Microsoft's LEAP program, apprentices can choose to pick the cybersecurity pathway as a specialization. LEAP is a 16-week apprenticeship program for people with some prior technical training or experience. This apprenticeship curriculum combines classroom study with hands-on engineering projects working on real teams and actual products within our organization, such as Azure, Xbox, Bing, and Office365.

7. Coastline College: CA Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program

Eligibility Requirements: 17 or older with a High school or GED equivalent and holding US Citizenship, Right to work, or a valid Work Visa

The CA Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program is ideal for those who have completed high school (or its equivalent) and are looking for cybersecurity training while working in a cybersecurity position should apply. Chosen participants will receive free tuition, textbook loans, and CompTIA certification exam vouchers as part of the program.

Apprentices will be able to grasp cybersecurity methods by taking courses and training in a hands-on setting with a local company. The program includes tracks for both cybersecurity and Cisco networking, each of which is offered entirely online, with assistance for hands-on learning in the labs at their Garden Grove campus.

The program asks for a commitment of approximately 2 years, with the completion of 8 online courses with a passing grade and 2,000 hours paid on-the-job training which equates to approximately 30 hours/week.

8. Women in Cybersecurity Veterans' Apprenticeship Program

Eligibility Requirements: Open to female U.S. veterans who are members of the WiCyS organization

WiCyS' mission is to support the female veteran community and provide employment opportunities to former service members. The principle that this apprenticeship program is based on is that military careers tend to align nicely with careers in cybersecurity.

While female veterans make up about 10% of the veteran population, they also have a much higher probability of unemployment as compared to their male counterparts. For the 2021 cohort, they have partnered with Bloomberg and SentinelOne as their employer partners.

Selected apprentices get access to paid training, secured employment, and mentorship opportunities.

9. FIU Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program (Cyber-CAP)

The United States Department of Labor has provided approximately $2 million to Florida International University to establish the Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program (Cyber-CAP).

Cylance, McAfee, the Beacon Council, and the Society for Human Resources Management Foundation are among the employer partners who will work with FIU to create a unique route for employees and students.

The IFC expects to provide 800 Cyber-CAP apprentices with 400 hours of classroom training in cybersecurity skills over four years. Each apprentice will get 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, as well as technical instruction from the College of Engineering & Computing and study for cyber industry certifications.

10. University of Cincinnati's NEXT Apprenticeship

The University of Cincinnati, in partnership with five collaborating institutions and the computing and informatics sector throughout the region and eastern United States, established the NEXT Apprenticeship Program to address this skills gap by combining 21st-century apprenticeship training with future global economy employment. We're going all out on cooperative education.

UC has designed innovative tech programs, courses, and certifications to support future apprentices outside of traditional tech majors, to prepare them for jobs such as Cybersecurity Analysts, Web Developers, and Business Intelligence Analysts.