Courtesy: Governor Wes Moore’s Office

Governor Moore recently announced a $1.8 million award to BCR Cyber and the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) through the Accelerating Cyber Careers (ACC) grant by the Maryland Department of Labor. Manis Canning & Associates is delighted to represent BCR Cyber, and to work with MACC, as they partner on this initiative to bolster Maryland’s cybersecurity talent pipeline.

The Maryland Department of Labor, in partnership with the Governor’s Workforce Development Board and the Department of Information Technology, issues this grant funding to support the training and placement activities of the Cyber Workforce Accelerator, leveraging the previously funded 10 BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Ranges currently in development for Maryland community colleges.  This program is the inaugural grant issued as a part of the Talent Innovation Program passed last legislative session (HB 1128, CH. 421, Acts of 2024).

Developed by MACC and BCR Cyber, the Cyber Workforce Accelerator provides all 16 of Maryland’s community colleges with access to BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Ranges that deliver advanced experiential training and education technology to train and certify thousands of entry-level IT and cyber practitioners.

This funding will also support the creation of a Maryland SOC Analyst Registered Apprenticeship. The Maryland Workforce Association (MWA) will work with the Maryland Department of Labor to draft standards of apprenticeship for the consideration of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council.

“MACC, BCR Cyber, and Maryland’s 13 local workforce boards through the MWA have established an innovative public-private partnership to address the Maryland cybersecurity workforce shortage,” says Michael Spector, President, BCR Cyber. “By leveraging extensive current federal, state, and local investment in cyber ranges, this partnership offers a statewide solution that will dramatically increase Maryland’s capacity to generate cyber workforce talent in a statewide unified program.

BCR Cyber ACC Grant Press Release
Governor’s Press Release