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Free Career Discovery Expanded Learning Trials
How a free Work ED trial brought unique, hands-on career discovery experiences to Washington Unified and Salinas Elementary.
WORK-BASED LEARNING
A cybersecurity pathway that launches careers. Built by experts.
A done-for-you pathway; curated curriculum with teacher training and work based learning programs.
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We have a serious problem
Cybersecurity entry-level job openings are piling up while qualified
students are cast away for lack of experience.
3.5M
unfilled cybersecurity roles worldwide
700K
unfilled cybersecurity roles in the United States
31%
labor demand growth over next 10 years
A Pathway to Get Students Hired
We built a cybersecurity program that aligns with industry standards while setting our own for the impact that career and technical education can have in K12.
Fully managed by our dedicated Cyber Education Team, we take students from cyber career discovery to career launch by giving them genuine, expert-led experience with the mentorship to get them hired. We support districts every step of the way by providing everything you need in one complete solution.
Results in Numbers
91%
of students discovered new careers in a fun and engaging way
84%
of students said our programs helped build their confidence
92%
of students would recommend our programs to a friend
Launching Careers: Meet Akeeme
Akeeme first joined Work ED as a cyber scholar back in 2021. He's now a Data Engineer at IBM, and returns to Work ED as a Program Lead and Guest Industry Speaker, paying his knowledge forward and inspiring the next generation.
Akeeme's manager has this to say about him:
Akeeme has demonstrated commitment to the team and his work, has provided valuable input to help define strategic direction, generated innovative ideas, works well with his mentor and other team members, and possesses strong technical aptitude and leadership potential in the data science space. I’ve been impressed with Akeeme and I consider it a privilege to work with him.
Drew McMillen, Director, IBM
Akeeme Black - Data Engineer at IBM, Work ED Program Lead, former Work ED Cyber Scholar
Curriculum and Teacher Training
Curriculum
Teacher Training & Support
Access to Cyber Range
Work-Based Learning Programs
Where We Work
Explore our Cyber programs across the country
Meet your Cyber Leader
Ben Crenshaw is an InfoSec expert and CTE instructor for Canyons School District in Utah. In addition to teaching, he works at Oracle as a Senior Vulnerability Analyst, as a curriculum developer with cyber.org, and is Head of Cyber Education for Work ED. Ben holds over 20 industry certifications, including Cisco, CompTIA, and EC-Council certificates, and has a master's degree in cybersecurity and information assurance. Ben is also an active member of the Utah chapter of WiCys and CSTA and has led student and teacher PD workshops in cyber education.
His mission is to foster meaningful collaboration between cybersecurity educators and industry by promoting significant partnerships that inspire and empower students.
Ben Crenshaw - Head of Cyber Education
National Cyber Teacher of the year Nominee
How We Break Barriers
Structured Learning Pathway
Students begin with the discovery externship where they get to experience what cybersecurity feels like, then advance to a more complex externship where they grow their skills, and finally transition into our pre-apprenticeship programs where they get primed for cyber-career lift off.
Engaging Learning
Cyber threats aren't theoretical. So why should studying them be? Our curriculum is project-based, featuring practical, hands-on experience in real-world cyber scenarios that challenge students to find solutions.
Real-World Skill Development
By simulating workplace scenarios in a supportive environment, students work on highly-employable soft skills such as resolve, critical thinking, teamwork, innovative thinking, communication and, most importantly, a growth mindset.
Fully Managed
Our dedicated cyber team runs the entire program, crafting a curriculum they know entry-level cybersecurity talent need to get hired. Using their industry connections, the team brings in inspiring experts who form the students' first professional network. And behind the scenes, we manage all stakeholder relationships and logistics.
What Our Students Say About Us
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"Thanks to these connections I've made, and the education I've got from my mentors in the past 6 weeks, I have narrowed down what I want from my field I'm chasing down, and also what I'm looking for in terms of what's surrounding me."
Tyreese, Cyber Pathway Grad
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"Everyone that was part of this apprenticeship was very nice to work with, the instructors were very informative, and they show a lot of passion for us and for the fields they're working in."
Jodestee, Cyber Pathway Graduate
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"It was really good, the mentors and the instructors, they were all very supportive of what we were doing and they made sure that they could help us in any way that they found possible."
Fahim, Cyber Pathway Grad
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“Having this group around me ... it was really fun and interactive. We went in and chose how to do a proper cybersecurity launch, what decisions you'd need to make so that a company wouldn't be attacked.”
Daniella, Cyber Scholar
"Thanks to these connections I've made, and the education I've got from my mentors in the past 6 weeks, I have narrowed down what I want from my field I'm chasing down, and also what I'm looking for in terms of what's surrounding me."
Tyreese, Cyber Pathway Grad
"Everyone that was part of this apprenticeship was very nice to work with, the instructors were very informative, and they show a lot of passion for us and for the fields they're working in."
Jodestee, Cyber Pathway Graduate
"It was really good, the mentors and the instructors, they were all very supportive of what we were doing and they made sure that they could help us in any way that they found possible."
Fahim, Cyber Pathway Grad
“Having this group around me ... it was really fun and interactive. We went in and chose how to do a proper cybersecurity launch, what decisions you'd need to make so that a company wouldn't be attacked.”
Daniella, Cyber Scholar
Success Stories
How school districts have partnered with Work ED to deliver lasting success in their communities
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FUSD Summer Camps, 2023Learn how FUSD built on past Work ED programs to achieve fully-enrolled summer camps
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Brooklyn STEAM Center Cyber PathwayHow the Brooklyn STEAM Center brought cybersecurity pathways to high schoolers with Work ED
