🚨 Universities Are Turning Cyber Risk Into Workforce Opportunities

Hello 👋

Cybersecurity is growing as a field and discipline, and as demand for cyber skills accelerates, universities are partnering with companies to build faster, more practical pathways into the workforce. From Oxford’s partnership with Imarticus Learning to Microsoft’s push to upskill rural hospitals, these programs are less about theory and more about practice. Apprenticeships, work-based learning, and industry-led programs aren’t fringe anymore—they’re front and center. Cybersecurity is giving higher ed a sharper role in the talent economy. Expect programs that blend theory with hands-on experience to become the new standard, meeting student expectations and industry demand all at once.

Networks and Cybersecurity Among Fastest-Rising Skills by 2030. “Networks and cybersecurity” is among the top three skill areas with the highest net increase in perceived importance through 2030, with over 80% of employers expecting increased demand. This sharp rise signals that cybersecurity is no longer a specialized niche but a core capability across sectors, driven by growing digital dependency and escalating cyber threats. It’s now positioned alongside AI and tech literacy as a foundational pillar for future-ready talent.

Partnership Opportunities are now open for the Annual Back to School Summit, Sept 10-11, 2025, NYC 🇺🇸

Join us as a partner or sponsor for the Back to School Summit, where 700+ CEOs, university leaders, workforce innovators, major investors, and global foundations gather for two days of strategic conversations. From private roundtables and fireside chats to panels, networking sessions, and curated dinners, the summit is designed to foster cross-sector collaboration and bold ideas shaping the future of education and work. Connect with us to receive the 2025 Sponsorship Brochure. Register now for Early Bird Tickets.

💪 Power Moves

🤖 Cengage launched an AI-powered dashboard for higher education institutions.

💻 Learning Genie introduced its AI curriculum Agent for PreK-12 educators. 

💸 OpenAI launched an AI learning platform for individual skill development.

💰 Education Funding

HolonIQ actively monitors and tracks capital flow in the education market, spanning across all regions and transaction categories.

💸 Element451, a US-based higher education provider, raised $175M to accelerate the development of its AI-powered student engagement platform. 

💡 SigIQ.ai, a US-based AI tutoring platform, raised $9.5M to expand its personalized learning platforms globally.

✈️ Visionary Training Resources, a VR solution for pilot training, announced its merger with Reaction Simulation to advance VR training for aviation.

💻 Turing College, a Lithuanian tech training provider, acquired Boom Training, a UK-based apprenticeship provider, to launch a new digital apprenticeship model.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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