This program aims to broaden the talent pool, particularly among underrepresented groups. Currently, only 20% of cybersecurity professionals in Canada identify as women, and only 25% of those women identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC).

In partnership with Microsoft and select post-secondary institutions, ICTC is piloting an initiative that specifically targets women and non-binary students in post-secondary education. Participants will benefit from Microsoft training and certification exams, along with a 16-week paid work-integrated learning placement in the cybersecurity sector.

ICTC's Cybersecurity Training and Work Integrated Learning Program provides participants with access to Microsoft Cybersecurity training and certifications, as well as experiential learning opportunities designed to develop essential technical and foundational skills for cybersecurity roles.

Program Structure:

• Deliverable: The initiative involves 16 weeks of structured learning through ICTC, after which students participate in a 60-hour work placement funded by Level UP. Employers are only responsible for the 60-hour placement, not the 16-week learning phase.
• Team Member Count: Employers will have access to 2-5 students per matched project.

Program Components

• Microsoft Certifications:
• AZ-900: Fundamentals of Cloud Security
• SC-900: Fundamentals of Identity, Security, and Compliance
• AI-900: Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
• Work-Integrated Learning: A 16-week paid placement in the cybersecurity sector or an alternative through the Riipen program.
• Mentorship: Participants will receive guidance from mentors through the WicYS and GMI mentorship programs.

This pilot program not only enhances participants' skills but also facilitates their hiring, contributing to a more diverse and robust cybersecurity workforce in Canada.

Expectations from employers are:

• To set a timeline required to complete the project and to communicate clear expectations to students;
• To have frequent touchpoints with students (in forms of 1:1 / group meetings);
• To bridge gaps between learning and practical work