ISACA expands its Digital Trust Workforce Inclusion Program to North Dakota and Minnesota
ISACA, a global trade association with 180,000 members focused on IT cybersecurity and governance, has expanded its Digital Trust Workforce Inclusion Program (DT-WIP) to North Dakota and northwest and central Minnesota, in cooperation with the local Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. The program opens new career pathways for underrepresented and underserved populations, offering training in IT, networks and infrastructure, cybersecurity fundamentals, software development, and data science.
The free program will serve a total of 50 students per class. ISACA-certified industry experts will provide virtual instruction twice a week from 18 February to 14 June 2025 using ISACA’s Information Technology Certified Associate (ITCA) certification coursework. Students will also benefit from job readiness workshops, certification exam prep, networking opportunities, and access to ISACA resources and training. Other local initiatives across the US and indeed worldwide are also underway to support ISACA’s mission to expand inclusion and the uptake of cyber skills.
Participants in the Dakota and Minnesota programs must live locally, be over 16, and meet the other simple eligibility criteria laid out online. Online applications are being accepted up until 10 February. The program does not require completion of high school or college qualifications, as it is intended to attract new and underrepresented groups to the IT and cybersecurity profession.
There are two track options available to suit participants of different abilities:
Option 1: is geared toward those with little to no IT experience, with courses for ISACA’s Computing Fundamentals, Networks and Infrastructures, and Cybersecurity Fundamentals certificates all included in the free training package.
Option 2: is designed for those with some background in IT and features the courses for ISACA’s Cybersecurity Fundamentals, Software Development and Data Science certificates.
Whatever options is chosen, the free training is intended to act as s starting point or spur towards attracting more people to go further into the IT security industry. Afterwards a path is open towards earning the full ITCA certification, which requires completion of five certificate programs.
Digital trust professions, including those in cybersecurity, privacy, risk, IT audit and governance, are increasingly valued and in demand as business digitizes and e-commerce and online government procedures advance in the 21st century. ISACA’s academic and workforce development efforts aim to support the next generation of digital trust learners.
“For too long, IT careers have felt out of reach to many who come from underrepresented and underserved populations,” said Jeff Angle, ISACA’s senior director of academic and workforce development, when commenting on the initiative. “It is critical to expand professional pathways to build a diverse and inclusive cyber workforce that fills the growing IS/IT staffing gap, providing secure, future-proofed jobs for anyone with a passion for the field, regardless of their background.”
