Trident Technical College to Co-Host Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Employer Summit with ISHPI

Nov. 12, 2018 … In collaboration with National Apprenticeship Week, Trident Technical College will co-host the Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Employer Summit with Ishpi Information Technologies Nov. 14, at 7:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza located at 4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston.

The purpose of the summit is to educate local employers on the value of apprenticeships to address the cybersecurity skills shortage. The event will feature expert speakers from the Department of Homeland Security, National Institute of Standards, Carnegie Mellon University and Trident Technical College, and will include a breakfast at no charge to the attendees.

“We are excited about collaborating with ISPHI to grow and strengthen the cybersecurity workforce in the Lowcountry,” said Dr. Laurie Boeding, dean of Business Technology at TTC.

TTC has long recognized the need for additional cybersecurity technicians to support the current and future workforce demands. As such, TTC has many ongoing cybersecurity initiatives including its current “Supporting Education in Cybersecurity for Undergraduates through Resources and Engagement” (CyberSECURE) program. Together with industry partners, the program’s main objectives are to develop and expand apprenticeship opportunities, develop a cybersecurity operations center and cyber range for advanced cyber defense and security technician education, and conduct STEM and cybersecurity outreach activities. Additionally, TTC’s Division of Apprenticeship Programs partners with area employers to grow talent by developing US Department of Labor Apprenticeship programs and connecting employers with apprentices.

“ISHPI is honored to co-host this event alongside Trident Technical College,” said Girish Seshagiri, ISHPI’s executive vice president and chief technology officer. Seshagiri is an early adopter of the Dual “Learn and Earn” Vocational Training Model for skills formation and a staunch advocate of regional workforce development. He provides the founding organizational leadership of ISHPI’s Community Initiative Center of Excellence for Secure Software (CICESS) program. The employer-led CICESS initiative combines academic theory/technical instruction at a local community college and work experience at participating employers to train a globally competitive workforce in developing software that is secure from cyber-attacks. CICESS meets industry needs for secure software development competencies and requirements utilizing standardized curriculum to create highly-skilled, capable and readily employable graduates.

Local employers interested in learning how to partner with TTC and ISHPI to start apprenticeships to grow Charleston’s future cybersecurity workforce are invited to attend the summit. For more information, contact TTC Dean of Apprenticeships Mitchell Harp at mitchell.harp@tridenttech.edu.