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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.

Our success relies on partners like

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 Black - Data Engineer at IBM, Work ED Program Lead and Alumni

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

What You Can Expect

  • Curriculum

  • Teacher Training & Support

  • Access to Cyber Range

Discovery Externship:
20 Hours

We create awareness, demand and enrollment for your cybersecurity pathway through a done-for-you in-person WBL program.

Advanced Externship:
35 Hours

Building on foundational skills explored in the Discovery Externship, the Advanced Externship challenges students to grow through crisis scenarios created and guided by industry professionals.

Pre-Apprenticeship:
125 Hours

The ultimate WBL program, this is a robust series of challenging, simulated cybersecurity scenario projects, guest speaker workshops, and field trips that sets students on a path to be the next generation of cyber leaders.

100% of students recommend this program

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

  • "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

  • "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

  • FUSD Summer Camps, 2023

    Summer CampsFresno, California

    Learn how FUSD built on past Work ED programs to achieve fully-enrolled summer camps

    Read More

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