We Reach Inc

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS CYBERSECURITY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (WITH WEREACH):PURPOSE: THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS AIMED AT EMPOWERING UNDERSERVED MINORITY INDIVIDUALS IN THE GATEWAY CITIES OF MASSACHUSETTS WITH THE PRACTICAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO THRIVE IN THE DYNAMIC FIELD OF CYBERSECURITY. ROOTED IN PRINCIPLES OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY, THE PROJECT ALIGNS SEAMLESSLY WITH THE NICE STRATEGIC PLAN, REFLECTING A COMMITMENT TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT DRIVES ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FOSTERS AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. THE OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO ESTABLISH AND PILOT A CAREER PATHWAY FOR IMMIGRANT AND MINORITY YOUTH OF THE GATEWAY CITIES OF MASSACHUSETTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP INITIATIVE (CYAI) AND BECOME CERTIFIED CYBERSECURITY ANALYSTS WITH THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS PATHWAY HELPING TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF WORKERS FOR THIS POSITION IN MASSACHUSETTS.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE PROJECT WILL: 1) CONDUCT A THOROUGH NEEDS ASSESSMENT, 2) COLLABORATE WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS, CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONALS, AND EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO FURTHER DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE AND TAILORED CAREER PATHWAY FOR THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, 3) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT SELECTION PROCESS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, 4) RECRUIT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, 5) COLLECT BOTH QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: SUCCESS IN THIS PROJECT WILL RESULT IN NEW CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION AND WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH. APPROXIMATELY FIVE APPRENTICES ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM AND GO DIRECTLY INTO THE CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE PUBLIC WILL BE PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN PREPARATION TO ENTER A CAREER IN CYBERSECURITY.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: CONTRACTS TO FOR COMPTIA TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION VOUCHERS ($25,875).