Nash Squared helps skill up young people to take on hackers

New post-16 qualification “critically important to the future of cyber security”

London, 16th December: A new qualification that includes cyber security for the first time will be offered to pupils at schools and colleges from September. It’s hoped the T Level, which combines classroom and on-the-job learning, will encourage more young people to consider a career in tech and keep the UK at the forefront of digital skills.

Nash Squared, the global technology and talent provider, is working to build the revolutionary new cyber security qualification in partnership with NCFE and the Department for Education.

Experts from Nash Squared’s global network of companies are working as part of the qualification’s Technical Education Advisory Board to build an inspiring new syllabus that aims to bridge the digital skills gap. The new course will equip the workforce of the future to combat hacking and protect the UK’s national infrastructure and largest companies from cyber attacks.

The cyber security pathway will form part of the Digital Support Services T Level, a two-year post-16 qualification which combines academic study with on-the-job learning during a practical industry placement.

With an expected launch date of September 2023, this will be the first dedicated cyber security further education qualification of its kind.

Bev White, CEO of Nash Squared, said:

“I am delighted that Nash Squared is involved in the creation of the new cyber security T Level pathway. One of our key aims in the UK is to support the British workforce into high-skilled and long-lasting jobs as part of our mission to tackle the technology skills deficit. This qualification will be crucial in laying the groundwork for a system of further education that supports the tech talent pipeline, giving young people today the skills they need to contribute to and thrive in the economy of tomorrow.”

Jim Tiller, Chief Information Security Officer at Nash Squared, who has been directly involved in building the syllabus said:

“This qualification will be critically important to the future of cyber security. This is an opportunity to provide young aspiring professionals the core skills and knowledge needed to effectively enter a challenging and fulfilling marketplace that desperately needs them. Moreover, introducing cybersecurity concepts to young people gives them a head start in protecting themselves in an ever growing and threat rich digital world.”

James Lane, Digital, Creative and Design Sector Manager at NCFE, said:

“Building the cyber security occupational specialism collaboratively with strategic partners has been absolutely essential and demonstrably valuable. I was delighted that Nash Squared agreed to join our Technical Education Advisory Board to be a steering voice and validator of the qualification materials. Their technical specialism and sector representation ensures that we’re able to build an exciting qualification for young people, delivering much-needed skills and knowledge for staffing pipelines across all sectors that include cyber.”

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Notes to the Editor

Nash Squared is a leading global technology and talent solutions provider, helping the world’s leading organisations build and transform their digital capability.

Nash Squared’s annual Digital Leadership Report, launched in November 2022, found that the second most sought-after tech professionals are cybersecurity specialists. However, 70% of those surveyed said that a skills shortage prevents them from keeping up with the pace of change in the sector. This is of great concern given that Microsoft has found that 40% of all nation-state cyber attacks are now against critical national infrastructure.

Nash Squared believes that a system of further and higher education that supports the tech talent pipeline is one of the main solutions to this problem and is therefore working with NCFE and Government partners to achieve this through the new Cyber Security T Level pathway.

T Levels are 2-year courses and are equivalent in size to 3 A Levels. Launched in September 2020, these courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and education providers so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for entry into skilled employment, an apprenticeship or related technical study through further or higher education.

There are currently 15 T Levels to choose from, offering students practical and knowledge-based learning at a school or college and on-the-job experience through an industry placement of at least 315 hours – approximately 45 days.

The courses are available at selected colleges, schools and other providers across England.

Contact

For further information please email nashsquared@connectpa.co.uk