GICAST
Take your first step into Cybersecurity with The Open University
The 'Gamified Intelligent Cyber Aptitude and Skills Training' (GICAST) course is developed by the Cyber security experts from The Open University and funded by Nesta and the Department for Education. The course will be available on the OpenLearn platform starting January 2021. Successful completion will earn you an industry recognized “badge” and an opportunity to get certified in Cisco's Cyber Essentials and CyberOps training taking you one-step closer to a job in the growing cyber security sector.
Who is this course for?
This informal introductory course is for you, if:
- you want to understand cyber security concepts
- you’re keen to explore a career in the cyber security sector
- you want to feel more confident about your online safety
Register now to get exclusive access
GICAST
Grab your opportunity to make your career move into the rapidly growing cyber security industry.
With data breaches and cyber-attacks becoming more common and increasingly sophisticated, cyber security professionals have never been in higher demand.
Cyber security is rapidly evolving with everything going online - shopping, banking, education, social networking, etc. Being safe online as well as helping to keep systems and processes safe, be it at home or in the industry, is an urgent need. There is a substantial shortage of skilled personnel in the industry.
Advertised positions in Cyber security have doubled in the last two years. Starting salaries for cyber security analysts typically fall between £25,000 and £35,000
What is this course all about?
This course uses unique game-based assessment, which presents you with a series of cyber security scenarios to help assess your intuitive cyber behaviour and current understanding of cyber security concepts.
On completing the game, you’ll be provided with a personalised course pathway to support you with developing knowledge and understanding in cybersecurity.
How will this course help you?
The course deisigned with inputs from the industry is highly valued by employers.
It is also supported by Cisco Academy. It offers learners who complete with an opportunity to train and certify in the Cisco’s CyberOperations Associate certification and Cybersecurity Essential Certification. Cisco certifications are industry-relevant the pave the way for entry-level cyber security jobs.
The course is endorsed by the CPD standards office and can used as an evidence for continuous professional development.
Check your eligibility
If you can answer yes to all these questions, then you can pre-register for this course.
- Are you aged between 24 and 65 years of age?
- No qualification at degree level?
- Currently in-work or recently made redundant?
- Earning less than £35,000?
- Working in an industry or role that is likely to significantly change or shrink?
Why pre-register now?
When you pre-register for this course, you also gain access to an award-winning career development website, 'Stay Nimble' designed to support you throughout your career.
You will get access to tools which help you:
Discover your strengths
Review your career matches
Pick a career path
Learn new skills
Be supported and secure a new career
We use five scientifically validated assessments to uncover your unique human strengths.
We help you see how your strengths match up to different careers, based on local labour market trends.
We use a unique Skills Match methodology to help you decide which path to take.
Access to a marketplace of learning courses so you can upskill to land your dream job and continuously improve.
You can get personalised support from an in-app coach, and access mindset exercises to help build and maintain your confidence.
Stay Nimble will direct you to further opportunities to learn more about Cyber security with the Open University until the GICAST course is launched in January 2021.
Stay Nimble will support you after you have completed the GICAST course to identify your next step with your new Cyber security career.
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