EY Canada helping veterans upskill for cybersecurity jobs
EY Canada is partnering with WithYouWithMe (WYWM), a veteran-focused training organization, to upskill Canadian Armed Forces veterans for high-demand cybersecurity roles in the Government of Canada.
Based in Australia and founded by three veterans, WYWM provides a workforce technology platform for military veterans to retrain for in-demand IT jobs. The company’s digital WYWM Academy trains veterans for technology roles that leverage existing skills potential and aptitude testing data. WYWM works with Australian, American, and Canadian military veterans.
EY’s Cyber Workforce Enablement Program (CWEP) contract will collaborate with Shared Services Canada (SSC) to supply cyber-trained veterans for cyber roles in the Government of Canada. Transitioning veterans will access the training platform free of charge, enabling veterans to adapt and apply their present skills for the workforce of today and tomorrow in under 100 hours.
Veterans already hold resilience, defence, and project and change management skills that complement cybersecurity roles, according to EY. They also already have the security clearance necessary for federal government jobs.
“Public and private sectors need to think outside of the box to leverage members of our broader community to build a sustainable workforce in cybersecurity. Looking beyond a candidate’s experience to their transferable skills and potential can help fill the talent gap,” said Jamie O’Hare, associate partner in EY Canada’s cybersecurity practice. “That’s exactly what we’re doing with Shared Services Canada. Military personnel are trained in land, air, and sea and by simply adding new digital terrain, we can leverage the expertise and skills that they already possess.”
Candidates in the program will also undergo aptitude and cultural fit testing to match them to roles where they are most likely to excel.
“We are proud to be working with our colleagues in The Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group and our industry partners on the project,” said Paul Glover, president of Shared Services Canada. “The Cyber Workforce Enablement Program will help meet the need for qualified cyber security professionals while also helping veterans find meaningful work once their uniformed careers are over.”
