The Apprenticeship Model: A Formalized Hierarchical Cybersecurity Workforce Development Proposal

Abstract

The study investigated the use of formalized cybersecurity apprenticeships as a means of workforce development to meet the needs of employers seeking to fill cybersecurity positions. The study employed a quantitative analysis using a constructivist grounded theory approach utilizing a survey with questions based on the findings of apprenticeships in other professions to potentially validate the transfer of apprenticeship research results to cybersecurity apprenticeships. Thirty-one National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Community of Interest members participated in the survey. The findings validate that research conducted in other professional apprenticeship programs may also apply to cybersecurity apprenticeships, which further justifies cybersecurity apprenticeships as a valid approach for employers seeking to fill cybersecurity positions. The findings of this research also provided insights into helping organizations understand the value of cybersecurity apprenticeships from a business value perspective.