National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program

The University of West Florida leads the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work^TM, a nationally scalable and sustainable cybersecurity workforce program to rapidly expand the number of qualified cybersecurity professionals. The program is funded by grants from the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Program ($2.5 million) at the National Security Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) ($1.5 million). The training is provided by a coalition of 10 institutions designated by the NSA as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C).

The CyberSkills2Work^TM program focuses on recruiting, preparing, and placing transitioning military, first responders, veterans, military spouses, women, underrepresented employees, and government employees into cybersecurity work roles in our nation’s Critical Infrastructure Sectors, including defense industrial base, energy, and financial services.

The program prepares participants for 14 entry-level through advanced cybersecurity work roles that align with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. The program offers flexible training pathways, offered online, in-person or hybrid, by a coalition of 10 CAE-C designated institutions. Each pathway provides training courses, industry certifications, and digital credentials.

Additional information is available at CyberSkills2Work.org.

UWF CyberSkills2Work^TM Training Program Information

In 2024, UWF will offer two training pathways to prepare participants for System Administrator and Cyber Defense Analyst work roles. The program will provide asynchronous online training courses, industry certification preparation, and vouchers, digital badges and credentials, professional development, job placement support.

Each pathway will be offered for a cohort of 30 eligible participants. All costs for eligible and accepted participants will be covered by the NSA grant.

System Administrator Pathway

This seven-month, five-course training pathway prepares participants for entry-level System Administrator and is a great opportunity for those with no/minimal prior IT/cybersecurity experience who want to launch a career in cybersecurity.

Cyber Defense Analyst Pathway

This seven-month, six-course training pathway prepares participants for Cyber Defense Analyst work roles and is a great opportunity for those with some IT or cybersecurity experience to expand their knowledge and skills, and advance their careers in cybersecurity.

Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist Pathway

This four-month, four-course training pathway prepares participants for Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist work roles as described in the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. This program is a great opportunity for those with at least two years of IT or cybersecurity experience to expand their knowledge and skills, and advance their career in cybersecurity. The program includes an industry certification prep course and vouchers for CompTIA Cloud+.

Visit the UWF CyberSkills2Work^TM Program page to learn more and to apply!

Employers Interested in Hiring Program Graduates

If you are an employer interested in hiring program graduates, please complete the interest form. There is no cost to join. We just ask you to provide input to help our program, share your job opportunities and consider hiring our graduates.

CAE-C Institutions Interested in Joining the Program

If you are a CAE-C designated institution that offers a cybersecurity workforce program or is developing one and are interested in joining the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, please complete the interest form.

Organizations and Individuals Interested in Supporting the Program

If you or your organization are interested in supporting the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, please complete the interest form. We welcome individuals and organizations interested in providing support to expand program support for underrepresented and underserved populations, including transitioning military and first responders, veterans, women, and minorities. We also welcome those interested in promoting and marketing the program.

CAE-C Coalition Team

University of West Florida (Lead Institution)

Augusta University

Dakota State University

Eastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso

Florida International University

Metropolitan State University

San Antonio College

University of Houston

University of South Florida – Cyber Florida

University of Texas at San Antonio

Contact Us

For additional information or questions, please contact Francine Coller at fcoller@uwf.edu.

Resources

This program is part of the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work^TM, and funded by the National Security Agency National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Program and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).