The learners program aims to tackle loudoun county?S ongoing cybersecurity staffing challenges by employing fair and effective outreach and recruitment strategies

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded a $1,196,086 Cooperative Agreement under the Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach program (CFDA 11.620) to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG). The purpose of the award is to address cybersecurity workforce challenges in Loudoun County, Virginia through the LEARNERS program. Key activities include providing comprehensive training in coding, Scrum, and ServiceNow to a diverse group of learners, who will then transition to performing county-specific IT and cybersecurity tasks. The program aims to deliver a group of certified learners who successfully complete the curriculum and obtain CompTIA Security+ certification. The award period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026. There are no planned sub-awards under this Cooperative Agreement.

Activities

The program focuses on practical application across county departments and involves mentors supporting trainees while ensuring quality assurance for county work products. Trainees receive comprehensive training in coding, scrum, and servicenow, including mentorship from experts, and upon certification, they transition to county-specific tasks. The successful pilot has led to full-time employment for trainees and will be scaled regionally by metropolitan washington council of governments (MWCOG), emphasizing targeted outreach, effective recruitment, and partnerships to support and expand the program.

Expected outcomes

Metropolitan washington council of governments (MWCOG) aims to deliver a diverse group of learners who successfully complete a curriculum and obtain a comptia security+ certification. Participants will engage in hands-on projects aligned with county business objectives, complete site visits to local IT and cybersecurity organizations, and build professional networks. Additionally, the program will promote its achievements through various events, including the NIST nice conference and local networking opportunities.

Intended beneficiaries

The beneficiaries include learners who gain valuable skills and certifications, local organizations that benefit from fresh talent and collaboration, and the county, which achieves its business objectives through trainee projects. Additionally, local businesses and public figures will engage with the program, fostering connections and insights into emerging cybersecurity talent.

Subrecipient activities

There are no planned subawards.