Hundreds of students will next week learn about acting safely, legally and ethically online and promote career opportunities in cyber security.
More than 600 students, aged 13 to 14, across all secondary schools will take part in a week of workshops that will set challenges related to cyber security. Students will work in small groups to solve various tasks that will reinforce the need to act safely in the digital world.
The workshops have been organised by Skills Jersey in partnership with local business and technology consultancy firm Prosperity 24/7 and will be delivered by specialists from Smallpeice Trust, an educational charity that inspires young people to pursue careers in science and engineering.
It is the second year of the workshops, which are part of a Smallpeice Trust’s nationally renowned specialist programme, and this year Government of Jersey digital specialists will join the workshops to share their practical knowledge and experience with students.
The Assistant Minister for Education, Deputy Jeremy Maçon, said: “The aim of this week-long programme of workshops is to expose students at an early age to the challenges faced by cyber security specialists, and to promote opportunities available to pursue careers in this area. I am pleased that we can once again offer this valuable education to our students.”
Dave Roworth from Skills Jersey said: “We know that the next generation of cyber warriors will come from our schools so it is important to show just what opportunities there are in these vital careers. This is the second year we have run the workshops but, unlike last year when they were held at one school, this time the specialists will visit a different school each day so that many more students can be exposed to the workshop challenges
“I’m delighted that we will have specialists from a range of digital areas joining the workshops to support students as they are put through their paces. This exposes them to some of our leading role models from the cyber world of work in Jersey.”
Chris Clark, CEO at Prosperity 24/7, added: “We are proud to be able to support this essential cyber skills initiative. Every day you hear of major organisations suffering disruptions or breaches through a multitude of techniques. Hopefully the next generation will be armed and educated to spot the difference between, for example, whale phishing communications and those of sincere intent, or build skills and interests in essential digital capability to ensure that they can make a phenomenal contribution to the digital economy in years to come.”
Government of Jersey Press Release.