California State University, Fresno

CSU, Fresno’s SOFT START: IT-Cybersecurity Workforce Education Collaborative project will provide computer lab spaces through the Fresno County Public Library (FCPL) for members of the anchor communities to receive training for basic digital skills, digital literacy, and information training. Fresno City College (FCC) and CSU, Fresno will provide a boot camp and certificates for students to take to be prepared to enter the workforce. Lastly, career services will be provided to both residents and students to enhance the support of the SOFT START program and ensure students receive training for resume writing, cover letter writing, and interviewing with confidence.

As a result of implementing the projects, SOFT START: IT-Cybersecurity Workforce Education Collaborative project will produce residents with basic digital skills and digital information and literacy through the FCPL certificate program. The FCC boot camps will train students with the skills necessary to enter the Fresno City College (FCC) Digital Literacy certificate program and will produce students who have the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) necessary to enter and to succeed in FCC’s for-credit Cyber Technician Specialist certificate program. The Cyber Technician Specialist certificate will produce completers who are ready for entry-level jobs. Completers of the FCC Digital Literacy Certificate will also be able to enter the CSU, Fresno Beginning Cybersecurity certificate program housed in CSU, Fresno’s public-facing Division of Continuing and Global Education (CGE). Residents from anchor communities who enroll in the Beginning and Intermediate certificates will receive hotspots and laptops. The Advanced Certificate will produce professionals with advanced cybersecurity KSAs. For those students who enroll in the Advanced Cybersecurity certificate housed in the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM), the SOFT START program will leverage the university’s technology access initiatives to ensure they have the devices and access necessary to succeed. Finally, participants who earned the certificate will have experienced equitable opportunity for career development.

The project will serve students at California State University, Fresno (CSU, Fresno) and Fresno City College (FCC) and residents within Fresno, CA and Fresno County. The project will increase basic digital skills for both students and residents. The certificate program will prepare participants for entry into or increase success in workforce opportunities or entry into beginning certificates at FCC or CSU, Fresno. Lastly, students and residents will be able to take advantage of career development opportunities and other resources to connect with professionals to prepare for entry into IT-Cybersecurity related jobs.

Fresno City College, subrecipient of the project, will be responsible for developing cybersecurity boot camp, digital literacy certificate, and cyber technician specialist certificate. Additionally, it will collaborate with CSU, Fresno to co-develop and co-deliver the Library certificates.