CYAI Cybersecurity Youth Apprenticeship Initiative

One of the time-honored methods of transferring knowledge and skills from one generation of workers to the next is apprenticeship. Modern registered apprenticeships (RA) are structured training programs combining classroom instruction, for example from a community college, with paid, on-the-job learning under the tutelage of a seasoned mentor. 

Apprentices start earning from the very first day of their apprenticeship, and their salaries increase incrementally as they gain more skills and experience over time. Statistically over 90% of apprentices remain with their employer and, when compared across all occupations, apprentices tend to accumulate a much higher lifetime wage than those who did not receive their training through apprenticeship. This highlights the substantial long-term financial benefits of apprenticeships. Traditionally, apprenticeships have been the domain of trade occupations like electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc. However, non-traditional apprenticeships have received much attention — and funding — in recent years. 

The Cybersecurity Youth Apprenticeship Initiative (CYAI), administered by ICF, is one such U.S. Department of Labor funded program that was launched four years ago to encourage and expand apprenticeships in cybersecurity. 

CYAI pays $400 per apprentice if 1) the apprentice is under 22-years-old on registration, and 2) they are in a networking, IT, programming, or cybersecurity occupation. 

In the last six months, CYAI has funded 40 young apprentices in two apprenticeship programs in Washington. In the past four years, the initiative funded over 1,000 cybersecurity youth apprentices nationwide.

CYAI is ready to fund more apprentices in the remaining six months of its grant – the grant sunsets in June 2024. Brad Hurte at bradford.hurte@icf.com can provide more information about the grant and provide more details about the benefits of RA.