July 19, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) – At the invitation of the White House’s Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), the nonprofit tech training program, NPower, participated in the White House’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Summit.
At the Summit, Bertina Ceccarelli, CEO of NPower, joined National Cyber Director Chris Inglis; and Jen Easterly, Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency where their outstanding efforts brought together diverse voices to address a national priority. Also in attendance were Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo; Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh; Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas; Ambassador Susan E. Rice, Director of the Domestic Policy Council; Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal; Director of the Cybersecurity; Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology on the National Security Council; other senior representatives from the Federal Government; private sector executives; and thought leaders from across the cybersecurity community and academia.
At the Summit, participants discussed:
- The need to create and prioritize new skills-based pathways to cybersecurity jobs, including at community colleges, through Registered Apprenticeships, and via non-traditional training opportunities for Americans who can help defend our country’s critical infrastructure and make a good living for themselves and their families. Training models such as Registered Apprenticeships can allow career seekers to earn and learn at the same time while often obtaining college credit, degrees, and nationally recognized credentials.
- How in filling these open cybersecurity positions, the United States has an opportunity to build pipelines for historically untapped talent, including underserved and diverse communities, to reach jobs that often pay well and do not require a four-year degree.
- And how investing in cyber training and education will: (1) enable Americans who comprise the lifeblood of our economy – including those building the next generation of our Nation’s infrastructure – to be successful in our digital economy; and (2) educate and empower all Americans to build digital habits that protect personal data and collectively improve national security.
“Given that NPower is a national nonprofit committed to advancing race and gender equity in the tech industry, including in the field of cybersecurity, we are proud to assist the White House in fulfilling its cyber workforce objectives, which are in alignment with NPower’s mission,” Ceccarelli stated. “NPower looks forward to remaining engaged with the White House and other stakeholders as this mission continues.”
About NPower Inc.
NPower is a national nonprofit that is committed to advancing race and gender equity in the tech industry through skills training, professional development, real-world experience, support, and mentorships. The organization has helped underrepresented young adults, women of color, veterans, and military-connected individuals from underserved communities and placed them in quality tech jobs.
NPower also places students in paid internships and apprenticeships with corporate partners, changing life trajectories for individuals from vulnerable communities, but they are also strengthening the overall competitiveness of U.S. businesses hamstrung by today’s limited pool of IT talent. To learn more about NPower, visit www.npower.org.
