The Arkansas Office of Skills Development has awarded the Forge Institute with $1.67 million over three years to use as scholarships for tuition assistance for Arkansans who meet the training requirements. The initiative and collaboration will open career doors for Arkansans and also help the state’s cyber defenses.
Applications are now being accepted for tuition assistance for the Forge Institute IT and Cyber Skills bootcamps. The courses are instructor-led and offered in the Little Rock classroom as well as virtually. Options for classes include both daytime and evening classes. To apply for courses, click here.
“Cybercrime is expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025,” said Scott Anderson, executive director for Forge Institute. “Recent events in Europe have only underscored the vital need for a workforce trained in cybersecurity. This partnership with OSD is an incredible opportunity for the people of Arkansas.”
Class space is limited, so it is important for those who are interested in the tuition assistance to apply as soon as possible. Applicants are able to choose from IT/Cyber Fundamentals – a multi-week course that delivers foundational training to individuals interested in pursuing a career in Information Technology and Cybersecurity– and the Cyber Training Bootcamp, which is a 14 week program that delivers required baseline training needed to become a cybersecurity analyst. Cybersecurity analysts are the preferred entry-level positions in cybersecurity teams.
“Our partnership with the Forge Institute has grown over the years, becoming a critical component of our statewide, next-generation workforce development strategy. Arkansans have an incredible ability to tackle diverse jobs across a wide range of technology-enabled industries. Our job is to help prepare a workforce-ready pipeline of individuals who can meet the needs of employers today and tomorrow. The recent grant awarded to Forge Institute is a critical piece allowing us to provide tuition assistance for Arkansans to further their career plans in the cyber and IT fields,” said Cody Waits, director of the OSD.
According to Anderson, the initiative between Forge Institute and OSD is not just an opportunity for individual Arkansans, but a necessity for organizations to adequately harden their cybersecurity.
“The first, second and best line of cyber defense is a well-trained workforce,” Anderson said. “Nearly every industrial sector in Arkansas is run by technology, yet 95 percent of cyber breaches are the result of human error. A properly trained staff can help prevent significant financial loss to organizations.”
In light of recent global events, including threats from geopolitical events, there is a strong demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals. Forge Institute‘s IT Fundamentals and Cyber Bootcamp have become essential pathways to a rewarding career in cybersecurity and other fields in IT.
“Proper training means hands-on-keyboard training personally led by highly experienced instructors. Forge Institute has developed a robust academy of courses to meet the needs of employers by helping Arkansans become ‘workforce ready.’”
