Hats off to the Yorkshire Cyber Security Cluster (YCSC) for investing in young local people by encouraging them onto a cyber career path. Following initial discussions back in September 2020, Melanie Oldham OBE, CyberFirst Ambassador and founder of the YCSC expressed the Cyber Cluster’s wish to support young people into the cyber industry, whilst encouraging local companies to become involved by sponsoring local students through the CyberEPQ.

The CyberEPQ is a great entry point for people wishing to gain a comprehensive understanding of cyber security and a qualification worth up to 28 UCAS points. Alongside the level 3 CyberEPQ accredited course, the YCSC have been developing links between schools and local cyber related businesses with mentoring programmes, work experience opportunities and regular meetings to support their learning.

After the disruption of Covid 19, the YCSC are back on track with this exciting programme, and they are now sponsoring 25 students through the 2021-22 CyberEPQ Cohort. The YCSC’s support of local young people will aid in bridging the gap in the chronic skills shortage in the cyber industry in the UK as well as ensuring that local businesses can develop their cyber security resources with trained local cyber professionals. Congratulations to the YCSC for investing in the next cyber generation and the local area.

We would like to hear from more Cyber Security Clusters around the UK, who would be interested in following the YCSC’s lead in supporting young people through the CyberEPQ. For further information about sponsoring local cyber talent, please contact us at [email protected]