The accelerating cybersecurity workforce development through aligned pathways and micro-credentials project will strengthen washington states cybersecurity talent pipeline by expanding career…

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded Whatcom Community College a $313,120 Cooperative Agreement effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, under the Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach program (CFDA 11.620). This initiative, titled "Accelerating Cybersecurity Workforce Development Through Aligned Pathways and Micro-Credentials," will strengthen Washington State's cybersecurity talent pipeline through the development and delivery of industry-validated credentials and educator training. The project will conduct four regional workshops to train over 100 high school and postsecondary educators on cybersecurity career pathways, establish a regional Community of Practice to align curriculum across at least 10 educational institutions in collaboration with industry partners such as Microsoft and WaTech, and design and pilot two stackable micro-credentials aligned to the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework and in-demand roles including Cloud Security Engineer and AI Security Analyst.

The expected outcomes include increased educator confidence in advising students on cybersecurity careers, creation of two new industry-validated micro-credentials, enhanced curriculum alignment across multiple institutions, and improved coordination between secondary education, postsecondary institutions, and regional employers to strengthen the cybersecurity workforce pipeline across Washington State.

Activities

This initiative will develop, and pilot industry-validated, stackable micro credentials aligned with the nice framework and deliver four regional workshops to train educators on cybersecurity career pathways. A regional cybersecurity community of practice will be formed to align curricula, facilitate professional development, and foster collaboration among k to 12, postsecondary institutions, and employers like microsoft and watech.

Expected outcomes

The project is expected to result in over 100 educators gaining confidence in advising students on cybersecurity careers, the creation of two new micro credentials, and increased curriculum alignment across at least 10 institutions. IT will enhance career awareness, increase access to job-ready credentials, and contribute to a more coordinated and collective cybersecurity workforce pipeline.

Intended beneficiaries

The program prioritizes students from areas across washington state. Secondary and postsecondary educators, incumbent workers, and regional employers will also benefit through improved alignment between education and workforce needs.

Subrecipient activities

Subawards will be given to northwest educational service district (nwesd) in the amount of $60,000.00.