Caroline MacGregor Published

Cybersecurity Workforce Training Planned At Glenville State University

Students sitting in a previously held cybersecurity training course as a part of the Cybersecurity and Safety Workforce Development Initiative at Glenville State University.
Glenville State University is partnering with the Appalachian Regional Commission to offer residents in distressed counties free cybersecurity training.
Kristen Cosner/Glenville State University
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Glenville State University is partnering with the Appalachian Regional Commission to offer residents in distressed counties free cybersecurity training. 

Demand for people with cybersecurity skills in West Virginia and other states is climbing steadily and that trend is projected to continue.

The program’s aim is to create a sustainable economic future for West Virginia’s coal-impacted north central region. Anyone living in north central West Virginia in counties defined as “distressed” or “at-risk” can receive free training and certification in cybersecurity-related fields. 

“Our POWER grant with ARC allows for the development of free boot camps, and will provide each participant with all the training materials, study guides and exams at no cost,” Peggy Runyon, Glenville State’s project director for the initiative, said. 

Participants in identified counties will receive training and eventual certification in cybersecurity-related fields. 

“We are making strong efforts to bring the training to the people in these counties,” Runyon said. “This training would cost several thousand dollars if you were paying for it out of pocket, so I sincerely encourage individuals to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity.”

West Virginia counties defined as “distressed” or “at-risk” include Barbour, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Harrison, Lewis, Mercer, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Tucker, Upshur, Webster and Wirt. Other West Virginia counties will be considered as well.

The first class, CompTIA Network+ is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 24; Sunday, June 25; and Saturday, July 1. No prerequisites are required but seating is limited. 

The free training program is made possible through a Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization grant for the university’s Cybersecurity and Safety Workforce Development Initiative.

A total of $1,402,408 in local and federal funding is being provided for the project.

To sign up for the course or for more information, contact Peggy.Runyon@glenville.edu or call (304) 462-6383.