ICT - Cybersecurity - ICT Associate Apprenticeship

The programme may commence at any point during the calendar year, depending on a wide range of factors affecting delivery and placement. Programmes typically comprise classes of 15-18 apprentices. The frequency of programmes and the selected locations will be related to regional demand from employers for the Cybersecurity Apprenticeship programme.

Apply Online

FIT recruits candidates who express an interest in joining the programme by completing an online application form available on www.fit.ie. In the first instance, the application is subject to screening regarding the defined criteria noted below. Successful candidates will also be registered with SOLAS as the regulatory authority for the registration of apprentices in Ireland.

All candidates will be required to meet the specific entry requirements. Once the screening process has been finalised/completed, FIT will organise interviews between candidates and prospective host employers who will provide the mentored work placement opportunity to the candidate. The employer will select the applicant(s) to whom they will offer a role in their organisation as a full time employee for the duration of the programme. This decision is exclusively made by the employer and FIT has no role in influencing that decision-making process.

Since 2020, FIT has instigated several supports for candidates who may have additional support needs and who notify FIT of a disability at the candidate application stage. These supports range from assistance navigating the candidate application process to ongoing support during participation in the programme.

FIT is an industry-led not-for-profit organisation that develops and provides innovative education and training programmes. As Coordinating Provider, FIT is responsible for the operation and quality assurance of the programme. FIT works closely with its training delivery partners (ETBs), employers, and regulators (Quality and Qualifications Ireland, SOLAS, National Apprenticeship Office) to ensure that the ICT Apprenticeships meet the needs of all stakeholders.

Apprenticeships are an exciting and proven way for employers to develop talent for their company and industry. Apprenticeships are designed by industry-led groups to support growth and competitiveness. Apprentices earn while they learn, and build valuable work-ready skills in a chosen occupation.

Apprenticeships open up exciting and rewarding careers, with learning grounded in the practical experience of undertaking an employment opportunity. Helping more people discover and develop their talents through training is at the heart of the national apprenticeship system. Assisting people to find opportunities through the acquisition of tech skills is at the heart of Fastrack into Information Technology’s mission and we warmly welcome you to take part in this journey with our support and encouragement.

The Cybersecurity Apprenticeship is a two-year programme designed for those who have recently completed second-level education or mature learners who are seeking to retrain. It is a dual-education programme involving both college-based and workplace learning. This college-based learning is statefunded and apprentices receive a salary from their employer while on the programme. The programme provides apprentices with the theoretical and practical skills required to secure and retain employment within a work environment that has a cybersecurity focus. This programme utilises a number of CompTIA industry-recognised certifications to ensure programme content meets the rigors of training needs within contemporary cybersecurity workplace settings.

Cybersecurity associates are charged with keeping data safe. In a digital society where everything is connected, it is critical that apprentices understand how networks are created, the flow of data and how it can be kept secure. Protecting data requires knowledge of the threat landscape, the tools and technologies to protect an organisation, security architecture, identity management, risk management and cryptography practices. Cybersecurity associates may further define their role as “Blue Team” or “Red Team” in orientation. Blue Team may be considered “defence” while Red Team may be considered “offence”. All associates in this occupation work to achieve required security outcomes in a legal and regulatory context in all parts of the economy. They develop and apply practical knowledge of information security to deliver solutions that fulfil organisational requirements. They understand network topologies, cloud services, network administration and monitoring tools. They are able to give technical advice and guidance.

Cybersecurity apprentices will work in ICT industries researching, designing and testing security solutions. However, many will work in other sectors that require robust and safe systems to support their activity. Typical job roles include those of Cloud Security Specialist, Penetration Tester, Junior IT Security Engineer, Risk Analyst, Security Sales Engineer, Cybersecurity Specialist, Information Security, Threat Analyst, Forensics and Incident Response Analyst.

Successful completion of all modules on this programme leads to apprentice attainment of a Quality and Qualifications Ireland-accredited Advanced Certificate in Cybersecurity, which is placed at Level Six on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Programme Aims and Objectives
The Cybersecurity apprenticeship programme aims to enable the graduate apprentice to secure and retain employment in a computer security role. The apprentice should be able to combine technical, communications, project management and personal development skills to meet the requirements of an employer and should be able to act autonomously or as part of a team as the occasion demands. The Cybersecurity apprenticeship programme involves a multi-layered approach to developing high-level computer networking and security skills. The initial layers, ICT Fundamentals and Network +, are not specific to computer security but cover the general terms, concepts, components and connectivity associated with computer systems and networks. These are scaffolding skills for a broad range of ICT roles in an organisation. The Security+ module marks the introduction to computer security technologies, principles and practices that are relevant to all organisations. The Security Analyst and Penetration Tester are specialist modules that equip the learner with the specific skills required to address cyber-attack and defence

The Cybersecurity apprenticeship programme integrates CompTIA technical certifications, City and Guild’s components and Professional Recognition Award, transversal learning (e.g. communications, project management etc.) and workplace training into a holistic programme customised to the needs of a cybersecurity associate. The Advanced Certificate in Cybersecurity is a lifetime award. However, apprentice graduates may need to update their individual CompTIA certifications in the future.

Module On / Off-the-job Module Level Certification
Programme Induction N/A
GDPR (Data Protection) N/A
CompTIA IT Fundamentals Off-the-Job CompTIA
CompTIA Network+ Off-the-Job CompTIA
CompTIA Security+ Off-the-Job CompTIA
CompTIA Cyber Security Analyst CySA+ Off-the-Job CompTIA
CompTIA Penetration Tester Pentest+ Off-the-Job CompTIA
Professional Recognition Award (Information Technology) Off-the-Job City and Guilds
Effective Communications in Business Off-the-Job City and Guilds
Project Management Off-the-Job City and Guilds
Personal and Professional Development Off-the-Job City and Guilds
Capstone Project Off-the-Job
Applied Learning in the Workplace Year 1 On-the-Job
Applied Learning in the Workplace Year 2 On-the-Job

Programme elements are assessed in different ways. During the completion of off-the-job modules, apprentices will undertake a series of assessment tasks for each module that demonstrate apprentice attainment of the required minimum standards. Apprentices complete assessments in a controlled tutor-invigilated environment that is time-bound against set and diverse assignment briefs. Typically assessment aligned to a particular module is completed within the final days of the delivery of a particular module. As apprentices progress through the programme, they will have the opportunity to complete some CompTIA certification, which typically necessitates attendance at a defined testing centre location. Workplace learning is monitored through apprentices providing written responses regarding the completion of defined and relevant workplace tasks of both a hard technical nature and concerning the application of transversal skills. These responses are monitored by the Workplace Learning Officer, reviewed by the Workplace Mentor and assessed by a FIT-appointed Workplace ICT Assessor.

FIT Contact Information
Phone: 01 8825570
Email: info@fit.ie Web: www.fit.ie

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