As October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, there’s no better time to spotlight the critical need for a skilled cybersecurity workforce. The theme of this month emphasizes the importance of staying secure in a digitally connected world, but we can’t do that without closing the growing skills gap. Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a reminder that now is the time for businesses, organizations, and governments to invest in talent that will protect our digital infrastructure for years to come.
Cybersecurity jobs — which pay a median annual salary of $120,000 — are projected to grow by nearly 35% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but businesses are already struggling to find skilled professionals. In 2022, 60% of organizations globally reported recruitment issues, with 52% also facing retention problems. These challenges are more than HR headaches—they’re security risks that make companies easy targets for cybercriminals.
A Proven Solution: Cybersecurity Apprenticeships
Per Scholas’ Registered Apprenticeship Program tackles this issue head-on. It provides a comprehensive, 12-month apprenticeship that blends 15 weeks of technical training with 37 weeks of on-the-job experience. Apprentices earn CompTIA CYSA+ certification and gain hands-on experience with tools like Windows IIS, Unix/Linux, and SQL Server. The only requirement is that Per Scholas candidates have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Per Scholas learners explore essential cybersecurity concepts and develop critical technical skills to help protect systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. The course prepares learners for working in Security Operations Centers (SOC) and serving as the first line of defense against cyber threats.
This isn’t just classroom learning. Apprentices receive ongoing mentorship and professional development while contributing to real-world cybersecurity operations. For businesses, it’s a cost-effective way to build a pipeline of cybersecurity talent that’s ready to hit the ground running. Companies avoid the high costs of recruitment and turnover while cultivating professionals familiar with their systems and culture.
Furthermore, apprenticeships benefit employers beyond filling technical roles. Through Per Scholas’ program, businesses not only hire job-ready talent but also experience lower turnover and higher retention rates compared to traditional recruitment. As apprentices work within the company’s framework during their training, they are more likely to stay long-term, reducing the expensive churn of talent often seen in the tech sector. Apprenticeship programs offer significant financial returns, yielding an average of $1.47 for every dollar invested, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. This makes apprenticeships both a strategic workforce solution and financially sound investment for businesses.
“Cybersecurity is one of the most critical challenges of our time,” says Alanna Hughes, Per Scholas’ Senior Vice President, Innovation & Strategy. “At Per Scholas, we are helping to build a diverse and adaptable workforce because we know that diversity strengthens innovation and problem-solving. Our apprenticeship programs ensure that individuals from all backgrounds gain both the hands-on experience and the technical skills the industry needs to defend against modern threats.”
Impact and Scalability
Per Scholas’ success is rooted in its ability to meet the specific needs of industries. With more than 300 cybersecurity employer partners, including Barclays, TEK Systems, Optum, PNC, Synchrony, and Infosys, the program has demonstrated scalability and adaptability. Since 2016, Per Scholas has trained 3,200 cybersecurity professionals. On average, Per Scholas cybersecurity graduates in their first job earn 2.8x their pre-training wages.
Barclays is one of many partner success stories. The company collaborated with Per Scholas to hire more than 70 technologists, addressing its need for cybersecurity professionals with financial sector expertise. Similar partnerships have flourished with other employers who have established cybersecurity apprenticeships with Per Scholas. In Los Angeles County, Per Scholas works with the Internal Services Department to bolster the “Delete the Divide” program, creating cybersecurity opportunities for 23 individuals pursuing tech civil service careers. Additionally, in North Carolina, Per Scholas partnered with Trane Technologies to upskill frontline workers in cybersecurity, transitioning them into corporate career pathways through an apprenticeship program.
One notable success story is Frank Kurtz, a former sommelier from St. Louis who transitioned into cybersecurity after attending Per Scholas. During the pandemic, Frank says he realized he needed a career change and was drawn to cybersecurity for its potential to protect companies and citizens. Despite lacking formal IT experience or a degree, Per Scholas provided the hands-on training and mentorship he needed to excel. Graduating as Salutatorian of his cohort in 2023, Frank is now a Penetration Tester, earning more than double his pre-training salary. “Everything you need to succeed is provided by” Per Scholas, Frank says, emphasizing the transformative power of the program.
The key is scalability. Apprenticeships can be customized to meet industry demands, ensuring businesses in any sector have access to the talent they need. Per Scholas’ apprenticeship model is designed for flexibility, helping both large corporations and smaller organizations build skilled cybersecurity teams quickly and affordably.
Diversity: A Competitive Advantage
Diversity isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a competitive advantage. In 2023, 87% of Per Scholas’ learners across all training tracks were people of color, and 43% were women. This diversity drives better decision-making and innovation—critical in cybersecurity, where new perspectives help outsmart increasingly creative cybercriminals. Training innovators like Per Scholas are helping to close both the cybersecurity skills gap and the diversity gap, creating a workforce that reflects broader society.
The value of diversity goes beyond just representation. Diverse teams are proven to outperform homogenous teams in problem-solving and innovation, essential qualities in cybersecurity, where threat landscapes change rapidly. By fostering diversity in the cybersecurity workforce, Per Scholas ensures that organizations are more adaptable and capable of addressing a wide array of challenges. Employers benefit from the broader range of perspectives, enabling them to anticipate and react to cybersecurity threats more efficiently.
The Time to Act Is Now
As we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s important to recognize that the cybersecurity skills gap is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, but it’s one we can solve. Apprenticeships offer a proven pathway to building a workforce that is skilled, diverse, and ready to meet the demands of the digital age. Per Scholas is leading the charge, but the work is far from finished.
Businesses and governments need to invest in expanding apprenticeship programs nationwide. Every day that passes without action is another day companies are left vulnerable to attacks. The cost of inaction is too high. The rising frequency and complexity of cyberattacks make this a national security issue, and industries across the board—healthcare, finance, infrastructure, and more—are at risk without a secure and robust cybersecurity workforce.
It’s time to close the cybersecurity skills gap by embracing apprenticeship programs, like those offered by Per Scholas, that develop talent from all walks of life. The future of our digital infrastructure depends on it.
Discover how your business or organization can partner with Per Scholas Tech Talent Solutions to build a skilled cybersecurity workforce.