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A new initiative is encouraging Australian businesses to take on cyber interns in an attempt to fill the industry’s skills gap.
The Canberra Cyber Hub and the Digital Skills Organisation (DSO) have unveiled the cyber security work-integrated learning pilot, which is pushing for organisations to accept aptitude-assessed interns in training, allowing them to develop workplace skills before going out and securing cyber-related employment.
The pilot will be led by the DSO and the Canberra Cyber Hub and has been created jointly with several registered training providers (RTOs) and collaborating cyber security organisations.
“Employers have been involved in the development of this pilot right from the very start. I believe the level of consultation has resulted in a pilot that is the right fit for everyone,” said Sophie Wade, chief executive of Modern Methodologies, which is a participating local employer.
“It is a great initiative and sure to help with the cyber skills gap here in the ACT.”
DSO CEO Patrick Kidd said that the pilot provides candidates with industry-leading training and prepares them for a career in the cyber workforce.
“This purposefully designed industry-led training allows employers to set the tone to ensure learners are acquiring job-ready skills and experiences,” he said.
“It also enables learners to engage directly with industry and develop the skills they need for a long and prosperous career.”
The pilot comes at a time when the cyber threat from state actors and criminal organisations is more prominent than ever, while the industry is lacking skilled workers.
Australia is a country suffering from a major skills shortage, with burnout due to the current cyber climate and larger workloads causing professionals to rethink.
In the next four years, the country will need an additional 30,000 cyber professionals, according to CyberCX via the AFR, despite already being the fifth-most cyber secure country in the world. AustCyber assesses that by 2026, Australia will need 16,600.
Those who participate in the program will first attend a Power Skills Bootcamp for four weeks and will earn themselves CompTIA Security+, a certification that covers the core knowledge needed for any cyber security role.
Interns then will learn four micro credentials that will allow them to train for more specific areas.
The pilot with then pair interns with cyber organisations, ensuring the best fit for both parties.
The pilot starts in March and will last until the end of the year. For more information, head to the Canberra Cyber Hub website.
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