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.

ICTC's Cybersecurity Training and Work Integrated Learning Program provides participants access to Microsoft Cybersecurity training and certifications as well as experiential learning opportunities to develop technical, foundational, and work-ready skills for cybersecurity roles.  The rising number of cyber attacks in Canada has left thousands of available cybersecurity positions unfilled. More cybersecurity talent is needed, which will require drawing on wider and more diverse talent pool. A recent study found that only 20% of cybersecurity workers in Canada identify as women, and of those only 25% identify as Black, Indigenous, or as Person of Color (BIPOC). To address this issue, ICTC in partnership with Microsoft, and a select group of post-secondary institutions is piloting a new initiative aimed at expanding the pool of cybersecurity talent. The program will provide women and non-binary post-secondary education students access to Microsoft training and certification examinations, along with a 16-week paid work-integrated learning placement in the cybersecurity sector.  The program Cybersecurity training and Work Integrated Learning includes: AZ900 fundamentals in cloud security SC900 fundamentals in identity, security, and compliance AI90 fundamentals in artificial intelligence 16-week paid Work-Integrated Learning placement in the cybersecurity sector or Riipen program alternative A mentor to support their learning through WicYS and GMI mentorship programs This pilot program will enable employers to hire participants of the program, which will help increase the diversity of the cybersecurity workforce in Canada.

ICTC's Cybersecurity Training and Work Integrated Learning Program provides participants access to Microsoft Cybersecurity training and certifications as well as experiential learning opportunities to develop technical, foundational, and work-ready skills for cybersecurity roles.  The rising number of cyber attacks in Canada has left thousands of available cybersecurity positions unfilled. More cybersecurity talent is needed, which will require drawing on wider and more diverse talent pool. A recent study found that only 20% of cybersecurity workers in Canada identify as women, and of those only 25% identify as Black, Indigenous, or as Person of Color (BIPOC). To address this issue, ICTC in partnership with Microsoft, and a select group of post-secondary institutions is piloting a new initiative aimed at expanding the pool of cybersecurity talent. The program will provide women and non-binary post-secondary education students access to Microsoft training and certification examinations, along with a 16-week paid work-integrated learning placement in the cybersecurity sector.  The program Cybersecurity training and Work Integrated Learning includes: AZ900 fundamentals in cloud security SC900 fundamentals in identity, security, and compliance AI90 fundamentals in artificial intelligence 16-week paid Work-Integrated Learning placement in the cybersecurity sector or Riipen program alternative A mentor to support their learning through WicYS and GMI mentorship programs This pilot program will enable employers to hire participants of the program, which will help increase the diversity of the cybersecurity workforce in Canada.