The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced that it is developing a new apprenticeship program to help address the security industry’s workforce challenges, diversify the talent pipeline, and foster career development opportunities within the industry.
The initiative will launch in June 2023 as a one-year pilot program, for which SIA will develop the curriculum, and connect job seekers with security systems integrators for paid apprenticeships featuring on-the-job training, learning, and preparation for careers in the industry.
Workforce development
Finding and attracting qualified talent is one of the top challenges facing the security industry. In SIA’s 2022 Security Megatrends report, workforce development ranked No. 5 on the top trends shaping the industry, as companies struggled to find installers and labor shortages struck the supply chain.
This apprenticeship program was created in response to the growing demand for a highly skilled technical workforce.
Apprenticeship initiative
This new program will help address the industry’s workforce challenges, and equip job seekers with essential training"
“SIA is thrilled to announce its apprenticeship initiative, to build a program model that can be scaled and used by all integrators in the security industry,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson.
“This new program, which complements existing diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and workforce development SIA initiatives, will help address the industry’s workforce challenges, equip job seekers with the essential training and skills needed to be hired with systems integrator companies, and grow the next-generation security workforce.”
Physical security
SIA’s program will focus on physical security systems installation, device networking and configuration, cybersecurity and project management, and target system installation technicians. SIA’s curriculum will follow a competency-based apprenticeship model and require a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning and 100+ hours of related technical instruction.
Participants will be paid on a progressive scale based on the current industry average hourly rate, with increased opportunities throughout the yearlong apprenticeship period.
AIR funding
SIA will administer the program and provide related technical training and coursework
The pilot program will receive funding from the American Institutes for Research (AIR), as well as a group of major technology companies, including Meta, that leverage third-party security systems integrators. SIA will administer the program and provide related technical training and coursework. The initial employer partners participating in the pilot program will be security systems integrators working with the mega-tech partners.
The apprenticeship initiative aims to promote growth in DE&I in the industry and offer career pathways for populations that are underserved and underrepresented in security or may be unfamiliar with career opportunities in the industry.
Recruit and train new technicians
“The timing is appropriate for the industry to support an effort to recruit and train new technicians into the security industry as our business has continued to grow and evolve, we see significant gaps in mature technicians retiring and new technicians entering our space," said Meta Head of Global Technical Partnership Engagement Bobby Louissaint.
"Programs like the SIA apprenticeship program are being developed to support closing this gap and providing a space that focuses on recruitment, certified training, and industry support.”
Training
SIA is looking to offer training to young people right out of high school or junior college levels"
“With DE&I being a core value in this program, SIA is looking to offer training to young people right out of high school or junior college levels."
"It’s an effort that will significantly impact our industry and provide much-needed jobs to capable young people who may not be pursuing a college education while also providing our industry a training mechanism that supports new fresh talent and DE&I."
Family approach, recruitment
"This program will take a family approach to deliver, so all of us as industry leaders need to play our part. I look forward to working with SIA on launching this program, and I am excited to see the support and talent it fosters into the future.”
Recruitment for apprenticeship participants will be geared toward students and recent graduates from trade/vocational schools and community colleges, security industry support staff interested in technology, and individuals in low-income and underserved areas who may not have access to traditional education.
Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sprint
The announcement of SIA’s apprenticeship program comes during the federal government’s Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sprint, a national campaign to encourage employers, industry associations, labor unions, and training providers to explore registered apprenticeship as a recruitment, training, and retention strategy and connect with the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Office of Apprenticeship to develop new apprenticeship programs or quickly join existing programs.
SIA’s program will be registered with the DOL Office of Apprenticeship, and more information will be provided during National Apprenticeship Week, taking place Nov. 14-20, 2022.
CompTIA Apprenticeships
DOL selected AIR and CompTIA to serve as national industry intermediaries
Along with launching this apprenticeship program, SIA joins the CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech network, a collaborative effort between AIR and CompTIA, and a DOL standards-based registered apprenticeship program.
DOL selected AIR and CompTIA to serve as national industry intermediaries for the expansion of apprenticeships in tech occupations.
Acceleration strategies
“AIR and strategic partner CompTIA are partnering to expand apprenticeships for tech job roles through innovative acceleration strategies. We are fueled by a deep passion for helping people find a pathway to a meaningful career in tech and to help businesses develop apprenticeship programs that will become a key source of talent to meet their workforce needs,“ said AIR Vice President of Workforce Development Beth Brinly.
“We are delighted to help SIA bring the power of apprenticeship to their members.” Following the pilot program launch in June 2023, SIA anticipates opening the apprenticeship program up for participation to SIA member companies seeking talent in the target job roles.
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