In December 2021, six Indigenous students graduated from JEDI’s 3rd Cybersecurity Training Program. Five of six graduates have successfully secured full-time jobs with companies in the cybersecurity field. With 40 weeks of in-class training followed by a 20-week internship, these students graduated with connections and work experience with leading organizations such as Deloitte, Bulletproof, McCain, and NB Power. Join us while we chat with two graduates about their experience in this program.
Meet Dustyn Martin-Ross
Dustyn Martin-Ross of Gesgapegiag First Nation, Quebec, wanted to make a career change so he applied to JEDI’s cyber program. Dustyn loved the structure of the program, saying that “in the mornings you’re focused on lectures, then hands-on exercises in the afternoon, making each day an interesting challenge.” Dustyn also liked that the program was “Indigenous-led,” saying that the instructors understood Indigenous communities and barriers to employment because they were Indigenous themselves which enhanced his experience further. “These guys are superstars”, Dustyn says about the JEDI instructors & program staff, stating that they were his “building blocks to success”. Dustyn’s 20-week internship with Deloitte resulted in a full-time job offer before the internship ended.
Meet Kristian Harn
Kristian Harn, from Eel River Bar First Nation, also found himself employed in a full-time position with his hosting company, Deloitte, next to his friend Dustyn. One thing Kristian enjoyed about the [JEDI] program was being able to network with leading professionals in the cybersecurity industry. Kristian had the opportunity to meet Andrew Jefferies, one of the founding members of Bulletproof Solutions, who is now with Deloitte. Andrew acted as a mentor and leader to Kristian, supporting his internship.
Kristian says that this program was a “fantastic experience,” helping in the restart of his career. “As someone who had previously worked as an IT Assistant for 4 years,” said Kristian, “this program was truly the next logical step in my career goals and navigation. Without the knowledge demonstrated in the classroom, I would definitely be out of my element with the functions and services performed as a Deloitte Cybersecurity professional.”
Empowering Indigenous peoples to start their careers in one of the leading fields in IT continues to be the driving force behind JEDI’s Indigenous Cybersecurity Training Program. The JEDI team is happy to celebrate the success found by the 3rd cohort and is excited to watch the 4th cohort complete their training and internships this year. Congratulations to the graduates!
More About JEDI’s Cybersecurity Program
JEDI’s Cybersecurity Training Program is a collaboration with CCNB to deliver 60 weeks of training in the protection of computer systems and networks from information disclosure, theft, or damage, also known as cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is a major trending field in information technology (IT), where cybersecurity job opportunities have grown by 94% in the last 6 years, now accounting for 13% of all IT jobs (source).
This 60-week Indigenous Cybersecurity Training Program is broken down into 40 weeks of in-class training and 20 weeks of an internship placement with leading organizations in the cybersecurity sector. This program covers the cybersecurity stream of protecting and defending, where the in-class training bridges lectures with hands-on testing and practicing. In addition, students had the opportunity to network with leading employers in the cybersecurity space, such as Deloitte, Bulletproof, McCain, and NB Power, which led to internships and job offers.