In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses require skilled professionals who can adapt to evolving technology. However, traditional hiring methods often overlook one of the most valuable talent pipelines—IT apprenticeships.

Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry

IT apprenticeships serve as a crucial link between academic learning and real-world experience, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn. These programs provide businesses with access to fresh, diverse talent while equipping apprentices with hands-on skills that extend beyond the classroom. From cybersecurity to software development, apprenticeships cultivate the next generation of digital experts, ensuring a steady flow of skilled professionals into the workforce.

Real-World Impact: Insights from Industry Leaders

“It has been incredibly inspiring for our leaders. The students bring a fresh perspective to our culture and have exceeded expectations by contributing at a higher level than anticipated. Their involvement has had a positive impact on our IT team.” Sara Waitrovich– Plexus

“Our apprentices have played a vital role in supporting our mission. We had four students, all of whom adapted quickly to our business environment. Their business acumen was impressive, and they offered new ideas and perspectives beyond those of tenured employees. They made meaningful contributions, such as assisting with cable management, supporting our network refresh, and streamlining our workstation lifecycle process—huge wins for our business.” Jason Schwoerer– Lakeside Foods

“IT encompasses many different segments, and apprenticeships provide entry-level opportunities for students to gain experience in technical problem-solving, communication, and other essential skills. Our company has seen firsthand the value that these talented students bring to the workplace.” Anne Troka – Sargento

A Smart Investment for Businesses and Professionals

For businesses, hiring apprentices isn’t just about filling positions—it’s about shaping the future of the industry. Companies that invest in apprenticeship programs benefit from:

• Cost-effective talent development
• Increased employee loyalty and retention
• A workforce trained to meet their specific needs

Pre-Qualified student applicants are available now for interviews. Be part of the movement shaping the future of the digital workforce!

Join the IT Apprenticeship Revolution Today!

(Image credit: Getty Images)

By Emma Woollacott
ITpro.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a new warning to businesses and organizations, urging them to begin preparing for the security challenges posed by quantum computing. While quantum computers are still in their early stages, experts predict that by 2035, they could become powerful enough to break the encryption algorithms that currently protect sensitive data. If organizations do not act now, they risk leaving valuable information exposed to future cyber threats.

The Quantum Threat to Encryption

Traditional encryption methods, such as RSA and ECC, rely on mathematical problems that classical computers struggle to solve. However, quantum computers leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations exponentially faster than today’s machines. This means that once large-scale quantum computers are developed, they could easily decrypt data that was previously considered secure. Adversaries may even be harvesting encrypted data today, planning to decrypt it in the future once quantum technology matures—a threat known as “harvest now, decrypt later.”

The NCSC’s Roadmap for Transitioning to Post-Quantum Cryptography

To help organizations mitigate this looming risk, the NCSC has outlined a phased approach for transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), which uses algorithms designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers. The key milestones in this roadmap include:

• By 2028: Organizations should identify their existing cryptographic systems that will need to be updated and begin developing a migration plan.
• Between 2028 and 2031: Businesses should prioritize upgrading their most critical and high-risk systems to PQC.
• By 2035: The full transition to post-quantum cryptographic standards should be completed, ensuring that all sensitive data is protected against future quantum threats.

Who Needs to Take Action?

For large enterprises and organizations that rely on complex legacy systems, this transition will require significant investment in planning and technology. These businesses must start assessing their security infrastructure now to avoid falling behind. Smaller businesses, on the other hand, may have an easier transition, as many of their cryptographic protections are managed by third-party service providers, such as cloud computing and cybersecurity firms.