The California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) at Cal Poly is focused on three pillars: train, accelerate and empower. By training to reskill and upskill, CCI aims to build tech literacy across California and the country, while creating early education opportunities helps build a pipeline for future students interested in careers in technology. CCI's work in these areas was recently featured in two pieces on the importance of cyber-readiness and workforce development. 

The State of U.S. Technology Talent: A Whole-of-Nation Approach to Bolstering the Tech Talent Pool

CCI was also recently featured in a case study by the Markle Foundation, which examines how institutions can facilitate better resource coordination between federal, state and local governments. To maximize its workforce for current and future technical needs, the United States must invest in a whole-of-nation approach to bolstering its critical and emerging tech talent pool. The case study covers how CCI and other programs are part of a whole-of-nation approach to maximize U.S. state and local talent ecosystems.

Technology Competition: A Battle for Brains

The Cal Poly Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) recently appeared in a Center for New American Security piece on workforce development (see citation 105). 

This paper examines a lesser-studied but important aspect of the intersection between technology and work: Does the United States have the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent to win the global competition to build, scale, and commercialize emerging technologies? And are current methods of developing and accessing STEM talent sufficient to meet workforce demands? It also evaluates the state of U.S. STEM education and the demand for and availability of STEM talent in three critical technology areas: QIST, semiconductors, and critical minerals. 

The citation in the CNAS monograph discusses CCI/Cal Poly Extended Education past work with California workforce agencies and programs like Upskill California, and private-industry partners like AWS to deliver trainings fo the purposes of upskilling.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about these programs? Please email Kayvan Chinichian, Senior Director of Development, at kchinich@calpoly.edu.