Apprenticeship Program Beginnings

MIS's Apprenticeship Program began July 2019. MIS had seen a huge need in the Cybersecurity career field for well-trained cybersecurity experts. To bridge the gap between the needed millions of employees worldwide and the small number of well-trained graduates coming out of colleges and universities, MIS decided to start equipping students while they are still in high school. We developed our cybersecurity apprenticeship with two clear goals in mind: to grow a stronger information technology work base in Charleston, South Carolina, and to provide a vibrant new career path for local youth. MIS saw an opportunity to accomplish this goal with the 2019 announcement that Trident Technical College (TTC) would establish a new associate degree in cybersecurity.

After two of the five interns expressed interest in continuing their hands-on learning with our company, we then partnered with Apprenticeship Carolina. Apprenticeship Carolina awarded both with full scholarships to continue their education in Cybersecurity.   This Intern/Apprenticeship program has been such a success we are hoping to extend the program in the near future with more students. As soon as the Intern/ Apprenticeship program was erected, it immediately became an integral part of our company. As our company expands, we hope to expand our Intern/Apprenticeship program. 

Apprenticeship Programs Offered

The Apprenticeship division oversees all the coordination with the small business division, various schools and government agencies to continue to develop and grow the apprenticeship program.  We manage the students work schedule and school schedule to ensure there is a balance and all objectives are being meet.  This team also provides guidance for the students making sure all their needs are met to include financial, housing and educational.  We are constantly looking for ways to improve the process to ensure the outcome is documented, measurable and successful.  We develop processes to provide funding to ensure each student needs are met and the business can continue to provide serves to underprivileged students.  The program includes three different apprenticeship programs.

Cybersecurity Support Technician (Youth Program):

The ideal goal is to start as a junior in high school with an internship to gauge interest in the program and aptitude. The youth apprenticeship is a Junior and/or Senior in High School with dual enrolled classes at a technical college.  This provides two years’ experience, several certifications, dual enrolled classes in a technical college, and a certificate from the Department of labor in Cybersecurity Support Technician.  
Cybersecurity Technician (Adult Program): This is a two-year program with a technical college.  A student from the youth program may continue from the cybersecurity support technician program to this program.   This will provide two years’ experience, several certifications, enrolled in classes at a technical college and a certificate from the Department of labor as a Cybersecurity Technician.  

Cybersecurity Technician (Adult Program):

This is a two-year program with a technical college.  A student from the youth program may continue from the cybersecurity support technician program to this program.   This will provide two years’ experience, several certifications, enrolled in classes at a technical college and a certificate from the Department of labor as a Cybersecurity Technician. 

Cybersecurity Technician (In-house Adult Program):

This is a two-year program with in house on-the-job training only.  This will provide two years’ experience, several certifications, and a certificate from the Department of labor as a Cybersecurity Technician. This program can also be used for a student wishing to complete their undergraduate degree at a university.
When a student completes the 6-year apprenticeship program they will have accomplished:
•    Six years of on-the-job training with records validating by a qualified industry professional they understand and can perform each task in the program.
•    Industry certifications identifying proficiencies in concepts and applications.
•    A bachelor of science degree in Cybersecurity