Front Range Community College is expanding its apprenticeship program to include information technology, networking and cybersecurity through grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Front Range’s $250,000 in grant funding is part of a $2 million grant awarded to the Colorado Community College System aimed at boosting apprenticeships in industries that have not traditionally used them, according to the Department of Labor.
The four-year grant, administered through the CO-TECH program, is being used to create 1,600 information technology and cybersecurity apprenticeships in Colorado between March 2020 and March 2024.
The need for workers skilled in information technology, networking and cybersecurity is widespread, said Dean of Academic Services Matt Jamison, and isn’t limited to traditionally tech-focused industries.
“Almost everyone has a computer on their desk or in their pocket, not just the information technology sector,” Jamison said. “It really cuts across all sectors. There’s automation in manufacturing and there are industry- or business-specific secrets that they want to make sure remain secret. Almost every industry needs to have cybersecurity and information technology specialists who maintain and care for their assets.”
The program is still connecting with industry partners interested in the program, Jamison said, but Front Range anticipates collaborating with three to five businesses or organizations, which could each hire multiple apprentices.
The ultimate goal is to create a pipeline of high-quality, dedicated and loyal employees that help businesses and organizations grow, said Lori Dulberg, CO-TECH Apprenticeship Program Manager.
“It’s an opportunity to fill the gap that businesses and career-seekers are experiencing in the area of technology,” Dulberg said. “It’s a model that gives the career-seeker an opportunity to earn while they learn and the business an opportunity to invest in new employees in a very intentional way.”