GREENOCK’S CYBER STUDENTS LEADING THE WAY WITH NEW QUALIFICATION

Students at West College Scotland’s Greenock campus are on the front foot for a successful career in cyber security, thanks to a new Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) Cyber Security qualification. The students are amongst the first in Scotland to undertake the new Higher National Diploma (HND) in Cyber Security.

The HND is a one-year course which sees students undertake topics such as Computer Programming, Wireless Device Security, and Professionalism and Ethics in Cyber Security.

Several of the HND students have a background in cyber security, having already achieved a National Progression Award (NPA) in Cyber Security whilst at Clydeview Academy, and a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in the subject at college.

These new qualifications are providing routes into employment within the cyber security sector which were traditionally only available to those who had completed a degree in computing.

David Kincaid, a cyber security student at West College Scotland, says it’s an exciting time to join the industry:

“There are a vast amount of opportunities. People need to be out there protecting data and you can do that anywhere - you could learn here and then travel around the world working in the industry.”

As part of the HND, students are given advice about working in the industry, such as what skills and competencies employers are looking for.

Joe Harkins, Lecturer at West College Scotland, who led the development of the new HND course, says:

“The qualification has been designed to equip students with not only the technical skills required for a job in computing but also the general skills that make them work-ready. Having people from various industries, such as Police Scotland’s Forensics Division, on the team that designed the qualification, meant we got a real idea of what industry is looking for.”

Alistair Wylie, Head of Qualifications – Technology, Engineering, and Construction at SQA, adds: “The IT skills gap is widely known about, but it is perhaps most pressing in cyber security. By collaborating with academics and industry specialists, SQA has developed courses which will appeal to candidates, and also equip them with the skills needed by employers.”

From next year there will be another SQA Cyber Security qualification available – the new Professional Development Awards (PDAs) have been designed for professionals working in the sector to help them develop their skillset or make the transition to a new career.