Cooperative agreement for ?enhancing deia in cybersecurity through skills training and diverse hiring? (with the university of nevada, LAS vegas):purpose: this project proposes a plan to further…

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded a $299,453 Cooperative Agreement under the Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach program (CFDA 11.620) to the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, doing business as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The project will deliver a cybersecurity training program to support the development of a diverse and skilled cybersecurity workforce in Nevada. Key activities include promoting cybersecurity career discovery, providing scholarships for underrepresented individuals to enroll in the training program, and assisting graduates in securing cybersecurity jobs. A subaward of $10,000 in Year 1 and $8,000 in Year 2 will be made to ThriveEDX to support the project. The project period runs from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026.

Activities

The project will focus on (1) promoting the discovery of cybersecurity careers and multiple pathways in under-resourced areas in nevada; (2) recruiting applicants and providing scholarships for those accepted into the program from underrepresented and underserved populations; and (3) adding qualified and diverse employees to the cybersecurity workforce in nevada through greater networking and focus on training and hiring individuals from underrepresented and underserved communities.

Expected outcomes

Success in this project will result in a rise in the percentage of underrepresented or underserved individuals who are trained for the cybersecurity workforce in the nevada region. Additionally, the project will gain insights on the current in-demand skill related to and current supply of cybersecurity skills available in the region.

Intended beneficiaries

The nevada region will grow their cybersecurity workforce. Underrepresented and under-resourced communities in nevada will be provided with cybersecurity learning opportunities.

Subrecipient activities

Subaward (contract) to thrivedx at $10,000 in year 1 and $8,000 in year 2.