By: News Bureau
As cyber threats escalate nationwide, College of DuPage has partnered with Forster Tool and Manufacturing in Bensenville to launch a Cybersecurity Registered Apprenticeship Program. The initiative grew out of COD’s Project Hire-Ed program, which helps employers create customized training pathways aligned with industry needs.
Established in 2019, Project Hire-Ed began in manufacturing and has since expanded across multiple industries. The program offers employers a pipeline of skilled workers while increasing employee retention through apprenticeships.
“Registered apprenticeships provide a proven model for businesses to recruit, train and retain talent while ensuring employees gain hands-on experience and industry-recognized credentials,” said Project Hire-Ed Manager Danielle Kuglin Seago. “By partnering with employers, we help close critical workforce gaps and provide a sustainable solution for long-term growth.”
Forster Tool President Maureen Forster said she wanted to strengthen her company’s cybersecurity protections and meet industry certification requirements.
“We soon realized we were over our heads trying to accomplish these milestones with our current staff,” she said. “Our CISSP consultants suggested we contact COD, noting the Cybersecurity program’s great reputation. We had our apprentice start about a month later, and the impact on our business in just half a year cannot be understated.”
According to the 2024 IBM Threat Intelligence Index, cyber attacks rose 15% from 2022 to 2023, with one-quarter targeting manufacturing companies. LaSalle Network’s 2025 Hiring Trends report found most small and midsize businesses plan to hire entry-level IT staff, including cybersecurity roles, yet 68% report difficulty finding skilled workers.
Forster praised the return on investment from COD’s apprenticeship program.
“Our apprentice has been a great addition to our team culture,” she said. “She’s saved our company time, money and headaches. Our goal is to keep her long term and build a team around her. With her help, we’ve cut our cybersecurity compliance timeline in half and expect to be fully compliant by 2025.”