Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) recently partnered with UMBC Training Centers to deliver a Cyber Foundations cohort using EARN Maryland funding to 10 students. The cohort, which completed training in June 2025, demonstrated an employment success rate of 50% within three months of program completion, representing one of AAWDC’s most successful workforce development initiatives.
Program Overview
Program Type: Certificate in Cyber Foundations
Duration: Completed June 2025
Funding Source: Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Funding
Total Participants: 10 individuals
Primary Focus: IT and Cybersecurity career preparation and certification training
Participant Outcomes
The cohort consisted of 10 participants with diverse backgrounds, all seeking career transitions or advancement in the IT and cybersecurity fields. The program emphasized both certification preparation and practical skills development.
Employment Success Metrics
Primary Success Indicators:
- Employment Rate: 50% of participants secured new positions or promotions in IT/Cyber roles
- Certification Achievement: 40% of participants obtained industry-recognized certifications (Network+, Security+)
- Career Progression: Multiple participants achieved promotions within existing organizations
- Continued Professional Development: 100% of participants remained engaged in ongoing certification pursuits
Individual Outcomes Analysis
Immediate Employment Success (4 participants):
- One participant secured a promotion with Collins Aerospace, contingent on Network+ certification achievement
- One participant obtained a network analyst position with the Department of Defense
- Two participants secured IT employment (details pending verification)
- One participant obtained contract position (renewable in October 2025)
Certification Achievements:
- CompTIA Network+ Certification: 3 participants successfully obtained CompTIA Network+ certifications
- CompTIA Security+ Certification: 1 participant achieved a CompTIA Security+ certification
Multiple participants are still actively studying for their CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications; on average students new to the IT & Cyber field take approximately 90 days to pass their certification exams.
Certificate in Cyber Foundations Key Success Factors
The AAWDC cohort’s success stems from years of curriculum refinement and UMBC Training Center’s proven expertise in cybersecurity workforce development. UMBC Training Centers first implemented the Certificate in Cyber Foundations program in 2013 and has since delivered over 86 cohorts to 640 students through both public enrollment and private training engagements. This extensive experience combined with continuous improvement strategies laid the foundation for the exceptional outcomes achieved in this EARN-funded cohort. The most critical elements of the program include:
- Certification-focused approach emphasizing industry-recognized credentials
- Comprehensive support model with ongoing participant tracking and mentorship
- Industry-aligned curriculum developed through 11 years of market feedback
- Progressive skill building enabling clear career advancement pathways
Conclusion
This Cyber Foundations cohort represents a paradigm of excellence in workforce development programming, achieving unprecedented employment success rates while establishing a sustainable model for cybersecurity career development. The program’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of comprehensive, certification-focused training combined with robust participant support systems.
The outcomes validate the strategic use of EARN funding for cybersecurity workforce development and provide a compelling foundation for program expansion and replication. With results of 50% employment success in the first 90 days and sustained professional development engagement, this cohort establishes a new standard for workforce development excellence in the cybersecurity field.
Reskill Your Workforce With UMBC Training Centers
Whether you are a workforce counselor or organizational leader, we can help you cultivate the skilled workforce needed to be competitive in today’s market. Submit the form below to get started: