The North East has the highest number of unemployed and under-employed ex-forces people of any English region. CyberNorth is working with interested parties to help ex-forces into cyber security careers.
Following an introductory programme with TechVets, which provides a bridge for veterans, service leavers, reservists, and their families into information technology careers, CyberNorth has now signed an MOU with SaluteMyJob, a social enterprise committed to fostering stronger connections between ex-military individuals and supportive employers.
CyberNorth, supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is working with SaluteMyJob and academic institutes to get unemployed and under-employed ex-forces people into cyber security positions across the region by raising awareness of the opportunities and bringing demand and supply together.
SaluteMyJob has a number of available training programmes:
For Candidates: Fully-funded cyber security training courses between six hours and eight weeks are available for the UK Armed Forces community between now and March 2025. Service persons in resettlement, Reservists, Veterans, and Spouses of all the above are welcome. (Note: we cannot routinely accept applications for these courses from Regular personnel more than a few months away from termination leave.) Further support to candidates in CV writing, interview technique, and job hunting is available via SaluteMyJob and The Talent People. There is absolutely no cost to the individual.
For Employers: plenty of ex-Forces candidates are undertaking training specifically to join the cyber security sector. We’d love for you to be involved through participation in our webinars, or through offering placements and roles to suitable applicants.
What courses are available? Courses run in the following disciplines, with a range of options to suit individual availability:
Penetration Testing (Ethical Hacking
- 6-hour Cyber security Fundamental course (IBM)
- 30-hour ethical hacking basics course (IBM)
- 150-hour Abertay University BSc module in Penetration Testing
- PLUS one attempt at the CompTIA PenTest+ certification
Cyber security Governance and Policy
- 150-hour Abertay University MSc module
- No prerequisite learning needed
Open Source Intelligence
- 150-hour Abertay University MSc module
- No prerequisite learning needed
Artificial Intelligence
- 6-hour AI Fundamental course (IBM)
- 30-hour Python Coding course (IBM)
- NB: the Abertay AI Course is no longer available
What does this mean? Candidates can sign up for between six hours and eight weeks of training, with outcomes ranging from a digital credential via IBM to an MSc module certificate via Abertay University. They can start small and build, there’s no need to commit to a long course straight away, but do note that the 8-week courses run on fixed timelines with limited spaces.
How much will it cost? (spoiler: it’s free)
Thanks to private funding and programme administration via Nominet and the Institute of Coding, SaluteMyJob is able to deliver these courses in partnership with IBM and Abertay University, absolutely free.
Who is SaluteMyJob? SMJ is a small veteran-owned and veteran-focused business with a remit for upskilling the UK Armed Forces community, and finding them work. Andrew, Harry, and Emily, the main staff working on this project are all ex-Forces.
How can I find out more? Visit https://www.salutemyjob.com/pathways