Building a Scalable Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline for the Public Sector
How Los Angeles County’s Internal Services Department partnered with Per Scholas to launch a registered cybersecurity apprenticeship program.
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Why LA County Needed a New Tech Talent Pipeline
As LA County accelerated digital modernization, it faced mounting challenges in recruiting, training, and retaining IT talent.
Key barriers included:
- Competition with the private sector, limiting access to skilled tech talent.
- Aging technology infrastructure, requiring new skills and adaptability.
- Degree-based hiring requirements, excluding many qualified STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes).
- Growing demand for secure, modern digital services from residents.
Key Insights
What This Partnership Reveals About Public-Sector Talent Innovation
- Persistence and coordination are essential
Launching a public-sector apprenticeship requires sustained effort and close coordination across departments and with the state. Large government systems demand consistent communication and follow-through. - Experienced training partners expand capacity
Per Scholas provided professional-level instruction, learner support, and apprenticeship expertise the County lacked internally—streamlining implementation and strengthening outcomes. - Credentials signal readiness—but workforce demand determines outcomes.
The program’s success in certifications revealed a critical insight: apprenticeships drive the greatest impact when training, placements, and real hiring needs move in sync.
Building a Scalable Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline for the Public Sector
See how they did it in our latest case study.
