Mass job loss is expected to occur in Pueblo following the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant’s closure, but a planned cybersecurity school could help dislocated workers get back on their feet.
The idea for Cyber Cube School was presented to Pueblo City Council by representatives from PuebloPlex, Southern Colorado Economic Development District and Silverback Consulting LLC at a Nov. 20 council work session.
Representatives also are planning to present the project to Pueblo County government.
Depending on funding availability and the construction timing, representatives hope to open the Cyber Cube by fall 2024, if not sooner, according to PuebloPlex Vice Chair and Cyber Cube representative Kurt Madic.
“We really would like to diversify our workforce and move into the digital economy where we would be able to attract Aerospace, Defense, and High Tech companies to our community because the Cyber Cube helped train a ready workforce,” Madic told the Chieftain in an email.
About 1,200 Pueblo Chemical Depot and Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant employees have expressed interest in being reeducated in the cyber security industry, Ralf Schwoerer of Silverback Consulting said during the presentation to council. That’s 60% of the 2,000 employees expected to be dislocated from the depot’s closure.
“(Employees) need to be released soon over the next two or three years… they need shorter education phases then what CSU Pueblo and PCC can offer — a year or two years,” Schwoerer said. “We came up with this package where we can possibly do this in six months and work with their schedule.”
At the council work session, Madic and Schwoerer were accompanied by PuebloPlex program manager Laura Stalford and SCEDD community development specialist Matt Albright.
Cyber Cube would give hands-on instruction for various cybersecurity jobs
Those who complete instruction through the Cyber Cube would be trained to received multiple certifications including CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Information Security Manager, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Cloud Security Professional and Certified Information Security Manager certifications.
With theses certifications, individuals would be eligible for jobs at information technology help desks, in ethical hacking, penetration testing, security operations, incident response, security architecture, cloud security, IoT security and IT network security.
Instruction at Cyber Cube would come from nationally accredited instructors who would provide ample opportunities for hands-on learning and job placement assistance, according to representatives’ presentation to city council.
“I’m a hands-on guy and I believe that a lot of people who had or will have this opportunity to actually do it have a better way understanding and being stronger in a job interview,” Schwoerer said.
There also are plans for Cyber Cube to host middle and high school enrichment programs in addition to adult training. For adult training the priority is to “upskill” or “reskill” dislocated chemical depot and pilot plant employees before opening remaining seats to the community, Madic said.
How much would the Cyber Cube cost?
In total, the Cyber Cube project is expected to cost $1.7 million, according to the presentation given to city council. Costs would cover the construction of a 5,000-square-foot classroom space, a 5,000- square-foot learning lab, the hiring of instructors and development of curriculum.
Cyber Cube representatives asked council to fund $300,000 worth of the project during the Nov. 20 work session.
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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
