Cisco Canada and STEM Fellowship have launched Canada’s widest-reaching cybersecurity education program for high school students – the Cybersecurity Classroom Training Program (CCTP).
The CCTP addresses the growing need for cybersecurity awareness and education and provides early exposure to the various tools, technologies, and career paths available in IT and digital industries.
Funded by a substantial investment from Cisco, the program aims to engage upwards of 40,000 students and 2,000 teachers across Canada by 2023 and inspire the next generation of IT leaders.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to better prepare young Canadians for a digital future in which they can participate safely and productively,” said Shannon Leininger, President of Cisco Canada.
“Canada is facing a digital skills gap, and it’s critical that we find creative ways to spark students’ interest in cybersecurity with programs that appeal to them using real-world examples. The CCTP equips students with the building blocks for a future in IT and helps fuel Canada’s digital talent pipeline.”
The CCTP features seven modules that were adapted from Cisco’s Networking Academy that weave the latest cybersecurity content into core subjects like math, business, English and social studies. Teachers can access resources, animated videos and activities that provide engaging and relevant content to students.
