Purdue Cyber Apprenticeship Program launches student registration portal

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue Cyber Apprenticeship Program (P-CAP) today (May 1) announced the launch of its registration portal for prospective candidates seeking an online education and on-the-job cybersecurity training.

Through the portal, the knowledge, skills and abilities of students are assessed while establishing a pathway to degree programs from Purdue University and its educational partners. P-CAP focuses on development of skills and leadership training, mentorship programs and recruitment.

Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, students can earn either an associate degree in information technology, a Bachelor of Science degree in computer and information science majoring in cybersecurity, or Master of Science degree in cybersecurity and trusted systems.

Apprentices also will have opportunities through Purdue to sit for various industry-recognized certifications, earn other specialty certificates and receive a Purdue Leadership Academy certificate.

Geanie Umberger, executive director of P-CAP, said she is already excited about initial registrations obtained through the portal.

 “The initial registrations are in line with our emphasis on recruitment of talented women, minorities, and military service members and veterans,” said Umberger, a clinical professor in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. “We are encouraged about the statistics from our early, invitation-only launch that show 48 percent of early registrants are minorities, 26 percent are women and 49 percent have served in the military.”  

The apprenticeship portal is available here.

P-CAP was developed in response to the federal government’s desire to fill an industry need of as many as 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs by 2021 (per a Cybersecurity Ventures report). A $12 million U.S. Department of Labor Education and Training Award has tasked Purdue University with providing a path to higher education, certifications, and cybersecurity on-the-job-learning through apprenticeships to at least 5,000 students by 2023. 

“Both private industry and government have a critical need for cybersecurity experts,” Umberger said. “We built a multifaceted apprenticeship program that unites industry, government and education in a coordinated effort to develop a highly qualified cybersecurity workforce.”

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at purdue.edu.

Writer: Brian Huchel, bhuchel@purdue.edu. Working remotely but will provide immediate response.

Source: Geanie Umberger, gumberger@purdue.edu. In addition to phone interviews, the professor is available for interviews via  Zoom and Microsoft Teams