The southeastern massachusetts cyber-AI workforce innovation pathway project will build a robust education-to-employment pipeline by training students to become cybersecurity simulation developers,…

Bristol Community College received a $267,787 Cooperative Agreement from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach program (CFDA 11.620), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The award funds the Southeastern Massachusetts Cyber-AI Workforce Innovation Pathway Project, which develops and delivers a new cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum leading to industry-recognized credentials aligned with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework. Key deliverables include a formalized 2+2 academic and internship pathway between Bristol Community College and Bridgewater State University, a 120-hour paid internship program where participants develop AI-powered phishing simulations, compliance assessments, and interactive virtual reality training modules, and creation of VR-based cybersecurity training tools.

The project partners with Bridgewater State University (receiving a $3,750 subaward), cybersecurity firm DTP, and VR developer Dogwood Gaming to co-design the education-to-career pipeline. Anticipated outcomes include completion of NICE-aligned coursework and internships by 16 to 20 students, production of industry-ready cybersecurity training tools, and development of a "lessons learned" report to inform national cyber-AI education standards. The initiative aims to address regional and national cybersecurity workforce shortages by equipping community college students with competencies in compliance, threat response, and immersive security awareness training, while providing small businesses and local governments access to trained cybersecurity professionals.

Activities

Bristol community college will lead a two-year cybersecurity-AI workforce innovation pathway project by establishing partnerships with bridgewater state university, cybersecurity firm DTP, and VR developer dogwood gaming to CO-design an academic-to-career pipeline. The project will develop and deliver a new course, offer paid internships with real-world use cases, and create VR training simulations using AI tools, all supported by bristol AI innovation lab.

Expected outcomes

At least 16 to 20 students will complete nice-aligned coursework and internships, producing VR-based cybersecurity training tools and gaining hands-on experience in compliance and threat mitigation. The project will result in formalized education-to-career pathways, industry-informed curriculum improvements, and a "lessons learned" report to contribute to national cyber-AI education standards.

Intended beneficiaries

Community college students will benefit from enhanced career opportunities in cybersecurity and AI. Regional small businesses and local governments will gain access to trained cybersecurity talent equipped to meet urgent compliance and threat response needs.

Subrecipient activities

A subaward will be given to bridgewater state university in the amount of $3,750.00. A subaward will be given to digital tech partners in the amount of $ 4,700.00. A subaward will be given to dogwood gaming in the amount of $ 22,000.00.