Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Programs in Canada and the US

By Stephen Adindu, Lead Coach at The Career Accelerators. Last updated October 2026.

Only a handful of cybersecurity apprenticeships are taking applications right now, so check each program's status before you plan around it. In Canada, the federal IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous Peoples is the main true apprenticeship, and free programs from NPower Canada and ACCES Employment are the closest alternatives. In the US, IBM posts apprentice roles as they open and Apprenti has no cyber openings yet, while the DHS Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program hasn't listed a new application window since March 2024.

We checked the eight programs below on 27 October 2026, using each program's own site or, for the federal Indigenous IT apprenticeship, Government of Canada pages about it. For each one you'll see who can apply, how long it runs, pay where it's published and how to apply. We also list the programs we removed from the earlier version of this guide, and why.

Why Choose a Cybersecurity Apprenticeship?

Cybersecurity apprenticeships combine paid work with structured training, so you build skills on the job instead of only in a classroom. Employers need those skills. ISC2's 2025 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, which surveyed more than 16,000 professionals, found that 95% had at least one skills gap on their team and 59% called those gaps critical or significant. ISC2 did not publish a headcount shortage figure in 2025, so treat older "millions of unfilled jobs" claims with care.

• Earn while you learn: Apprentices are employees. Apprenti sets minimum pay rates by location and occupation, and apprentices in Canada's IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous Peoples hold paid entry-level IT jobs in federal departments.
• Hands-on experience: On-the-job training covers real security work. Apprenti's cybersecurity analyst track, for example, includes threat monitoring, vulnerability assessments and incident response.
• Industry certifications: Some programs build certifications in. NPower Canada's Network Security Professional program follows the Fortinet NSE pathway, and the US Department of War's new pilot includes certifications such as CompTIA or EC-Council.
• Job security: In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21% growth in information security analyst jobs from 2025 to 2035, about 14,100 openings a year. In Canada, Job Bank says prospects for cybersecurity specialists vary by province.
• Accessibility: Several programs don't need a degree. Apprenti asks for a high school diploma or GED, IBM recruits people without a four-year degree in the field, and the Department of War's technical pathway needs no degree.

What do cybersecurity specialists earn in Canada? Hourly wages for NOC 21220, cybersecurity specialists. These are wages for people working in the role, not apprentice pay.

Source: Job Bank, cybersecurity specialist wages (Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, 2023 to 2024), checked 27 October 2026. The Ontario median is C$51.28 an hour.

Which Cybersecurity Apprenticeships Are Taking Applications Now?

Here is the status of every program in this guide, from each program's own site or an official government page, checked on 27 October 2026.

Cybersecurity Apprenticeships in Canada: Which Programs Are Open?

Canada has few programs that are formally called cybersecurity apprenticeships. Apprenticeship here is mainly a skilled-trades system, and none of the 54 Red Seal trades covers cybersecurity or IT. The Canadian routes below are one federal apprenticeship, plus free training and co-op programs that lead into the same entry-level roles.

1. IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous Peoples

• Provider: Government of Canada, run by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
• Location: Federal departments and agencies; more than 30 have hired apprentices
• Duration: 24 months of on-the-job training, mentoring and professional development
• Who can apply: First Nations, Inuit and Métis people interested in IT. The program looks at your passion and potential rather than formal IT credentials.
• Pay: Paid, entry-level IT position; the hiring department pays the salary
• Credential: Completing the program meets the alternative education requirement for IT jobs in the federal public service
• Application: Through the program's page on the GC Digital Talent platform
• Status: Listed as ongoing hiring (Public Service Commission, February 2026). In 2024 it received 420 applications from more than 171 Indigenous communities, which led to 64 hires.

Why choose? It's the closest thing Canada has to a paid cybersecurity apprenticeship. It covers IT broadly, not only security, but some apprentices do security work: two joined the IT security team at Public Services and Procurement Canada.

2. NPower Canada Network Security Professional

• Provider: NPower Canada
• Location: Residents of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and listed parts of Ontario (such as the GTA, Ottawa and Kitchener); Quebec is paused
• Duration: 15 weeks, with workshops Monday to Friday at set times
• Who can apply: Adults 18 or older with a related diploma or degree and at least a year of related internship or work experience, who face unemployment, underemployment or financial barriers, can work full time in Canada and meet the income limits. You can't apply if you currently work in IT, are studying IT or tech, or are an international student on a study permit.
• Cost: Free. NPower says there is never a fee to apply or take part.
• Certifications: Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) pathway
• Application: NPower's online application form
• Status (27 Oct 2026): Taking applications for the upcoming intake; the next cohort listed starts 30 November 2026

Why choose? It isn't an apprenticeship, but it's a free, structured step toward security operations and network roles, with career coaching, corporate mentors and post-hire support. It suits people who already have some IT background and need security skills.

3. ACCES Employment Cybersecurity Connections

• Provider: ACCES Employment, supported by the TD Ready Commitment and delivered with IBM and Interac
• Location: Toronto area; you must live in the city where the program runs
• Duration: 8 weeks
• Who can apply: Internationally trained IT professionals who are permanent residents, Convention Refugees or naturalized Canadian citizens. ACCES prefers CLB 6 or higher, an IT diploma or degree from outside Canada and IT or cybersecurity experience abroad.
• Cost: Free
• What's included: Online cybersecurity modules, an orientation to Canada's cybersecurity industry, mentoring and employer connections. No work placement is mentioned.
• Application: Attend an info session (17, 19 or 26 November, or 1 December 2026) or call ACCES
• Status (27 Oct 2026): Next cohort runs 11 January to 5 March 2027

Why choose? It's built for newcomers who already have IT or cyber experience from another country and need Canadian contacts and job search support.

4. CSE Student Work Terms (Co-op)

• Provider: Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE)
• Who can apply: Canadian citizens registered full time at a Canadian college or university, in fields such as computer science, engineering and mathematics
• Security screening: A security clearance process that takes about six months. Most CSE roles need an Enhanced Top Secret clearance, which includes a polygraph.
• Application: CSE's job search portal, about eight months before your preferred start date
• Status (27 Oct 2026): Ongoing student program; CSE's careers page says it is hiring

Why choose? Students work on projects that help protect Canada from cyber threats. If you're in a co-op program, this is the nearest Canadian equivalent to the DHS student apprenticeship.

Looking for a co-op employer yourself? ICTC's WIL Digital program, funded by the federal Student Work Placement Program, can cover up to $7,000 of a student's wages in a tech role. Mentioning it may make a small employer more willing to take you on.

Top US Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Programs

Here are four US programs, including IBM's and DHS's. The two federal programs are for US citizens only, so most Canadians can't apply.

5. IBM Cybersecurity Apprenticeship

• Provider: IBM
• Location: United States; varies by opening
• Duration: IBM doesn't publish a fixed length; check each posting
• Who can apply: People without a four-year bachelor's degree in the field they're pursuing, who have built skills in that area
• Pay: Paid, full-time "earn and learn" program; IBM doesn't list pay on its program page
• Registration: IBM's US apprenticeship is registered with the federal government and has included a Cybersecurity Analyst track
• Application: Join IBM's talent network, then search IBM Careers for "apprentice"
• Status (27 Oct 2026): Openings are posted as roles open; check the search for current cyber roles

Why choose? IBM runs its own apprenticeship for people without a degree in the field, so you're a full-time IBM employee while you train.

6. Homeland Security Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program (CSAP)

• Provider: US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). CISA, ICE, DHS Headquarters and the Secret Service have taken part.
• Location: Remote, open to students across the US
• Duration: One year, part time, up to 20 hours a week
• Who can apply: US citizens enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program with at least 30 credits completed, a declared major in cybersecurity or IT, and the ability to get and keep a security clearance
• Pay: Hired as student trainees (job series 2299); DHS's page doesn't state pay
• Certifications: None listed on DHS's page
• Application: Through USAJOBS. Create a profile and set alerts for job series 2299, Student Trainee.
• Status (27 Oct 2026): Not taking applications. The last window ran from 11 to 15 March 2024 and could close early after 150 applications. DHS hasn't updated the page since 7 March 2024.

What this means for you: CSAP suits US-citizen students who want federal cyber experience, and apprentices may be offered full-time jobs after they graduate. Set USAJOBS alerts so you hear about any new window. DHS's paid 10 to 12 week Cybersecurity Internship Program, for US citizens aged 16 or older, also hasn't opened since its summer 2024 cycle. If you're in Canada, the CSE student program above is the nearest equivalent.

7. Department of War Cyber Apprenticeship Program

• Provider: US Department of War (the Department of Defense), Office of the Chief Information Officer
• Location: In person in the Washington, DC area; the degree pathway was based in Alexandria, Virginia
• Duration: 12 months, full time
• Who can apply: US citizens 18 or older who can get and keep a Secret clearance. The technical specialist pathway needs no degree or cyber experience; the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) pathway needs an accredited degree.
• Pay: US$22,584 a year, as DefenseScoop and ClearanceJobs reported from the USAJOBS listing. The DMDC degree pathway's posting was GS-7, US$57,736 to US$75,059 a year.
• Certifications: Industry certifications such as CompTIA or EC-Council, plus DoD 8140 qualifications
• Roles: Target roles include cyber defense analyst and incident responder
• Status (27 Oct 2026): Closed. The program drew more than 70,000 inquiries, and the first window ended on 17 July 2026 (24 July for the DMDC pathway). We found no announcement of a second cohort.

What this means for you: This pilot is closed. It was the newest US federal route into cyber defense for people without a degree, so if you're a US citizen, set USAJOBS alerts in case a second cohort opens. Note that apprentices who don't finish may have to repay training costs unless they get a waiver.

8. Apprenti Cybersecurity Analyst and Network Security Administrator Apprenticeships

• Provider: Apprenti, which places registered apprentices with hiring partners
• Location: Partners across the US; technical training is usually online
• Duration: 2 to 5 months of full-time technical training, then one year of paid on-the-job training
• Who can apply: Adults 18 or older, legally authorized to work in the US, with a high school diploma or GED. No degree or tech experience is needed.
• Pay: Paid during on-the-job training at or above Apprenti's minimum rate for your location and occupation. Training is currently free for apprentices.
• Certifications: An industry-recognized certification on completion
• Application: A short questionnaire, an online assessment, then an interview when a hiring partner has an opening
• Status (27 Oct 2026): On 15 October 2026 Apprenti said its upcoming cyber and AI openings are not yet available. Set up your profile now so you can apply quickly.

How Apprenti's process works:

Why choose? Apprenti recruits women, people of colour, veterans and people with disabilities, and you don't need a degree. Employers aren't required to keep apprentices after the year, so treat it as experience, not a guaranteed job.

Programs we removed from this list, and why

How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Apprenticeship

With so few cybersecurity apprenticeship programs open at any one time, the right one depends on your goals and circumstances. Consider these factors:

• Career goals: For analyst or security operations roles, look at Apprenti's cybersecurity analyst track or the Department of War's cyber defense roles. For network security, NPower's Network Security Professional program or Apprenti's network security administrator track fit better.
• Prerequisites: Some programs expect IT education first. NPower's program asks for a related diploma or degree and a year of experience, and DHS takes only students with 30 or more credits. IBM, Apprenti and the Department of War's technical pathway don't require a degree.
• Citizenship and clearance: DHS and the Department of War are for US citizens who can get a clearance, and Apprenti needs US work authorization. In Canada, CSE hires Canadian citizens only, and its clearance process takes about six months, so start early.
• Certifications: Ask which certification the program prepares you for or pays for, such as CompTIA Security+ or Fortinet NSE.
• Outcomes: Ask what happens at the end. DHS says apprentices may be offered full-time jobs after graduation, while Apprenti says employers aren't required to keep apprentices. Ask each program for its own hiring results and how it measures them.
• Diversity and inclusion: The federal IT Apprenticeship Program is for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, ACCES Employment serves newcomers, and Apprenti recruits women, people of colour, veterans and people with disabilities.

Tips for Applying to Cyber Security Apprenticeships

Landing a cybersecurity apprenticeship requires preparation. Follow these tips to stand out:

• Build IT skills: Work toward CompTIA A+ or Security+ and practise in a home lab, so you can show tech aptitude before you apply.
• Tailor your resume: Highlight transferable skills (for example, problem-solving from retail) and any IT experience.
• Prepare for assessments: Apprenti's assessment covers math, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, and you need a score of 80 to qualify. Expect interviews too.
• Network: Go to info sessions and recruitment events. ACCES Employment runs info sessions before each cohort, and CSE lists recruitment events for students.
• Apply early and set alerts: DHS's last window lasted five days and could close early after 150 applications. The Department of War's program drew more than 70,000 inquiries before its first window closed. CSE asks students to apply about eight months ahead.
• Use a current finder: For US openings, use the Apprenticeship Job Finder on Apprenticeship.gov. NIST's older NICE apprenticeship finder is no longer maintained.

Stephen's tip: If you already work in audit, compliance or risk, look at governance, risk and compliance (GRC) roles first. Your experience often transfers directly.

Want hands-on practice before you apply? The Career Accelerators' Cybersecurity program focuses on governance, risk and compliance (GRC), and its course page lists the tools you'll use: Wireshark, Nmap, Nessus, Autopsy and Splunk. Book a free call to talk through which route fits your background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there cybersecurity apprenticeships in Canada?

A few. The main one is the federal IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous Peoples, a paid 24-month program for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. Cybersecurity isn't a Red Seal trade, so most other Canadian routes are free training programs (such as NPower Canada and ACCES Employment) or co-op work terms (such as CSE's student program).

Is the DHS Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program still open?

No. As of 27 October 2026, DHS's page still shows its last application window, 11 to 15 March 2024, and hasn't been updated since. The program was a one-year, remote, part-time role for US-citizen bachelor's and master's students. Set USAJOBS alerts for job series 2299, Student Trainee, to hear about any new window.

Can Canadians apply for US cybersecurity apprenticeships?

Mostly not. DHS and the Department of War programs are for US citizens who can get a security clearance, and Apprenti requires legal authorization to work in the US. Canadians should start with the Canadian programs above.

Do I need a degree for a cybersecurity apprenticeship?

Not always. IBM recruits people without a four-year degree in the field, Apprenti needs a high school diploma or GED, and the Department of War's technical pathway needs no degree. DHS's program, by contrast, was only for students partway through a degree, and NPower's Network Security Professional program asks for a related diploma or degree.

How much do cybersecurity apprentices earn?

It depends on the program. The Department of War's pilot was reported at US$22,584 a year, and its degree pathway was advertised at GS-7, US$57,736 to US$75,059 a year. Apprenti sets minimum rates by location and occupation. Federal Indigenous IT apprentices are paid as entry-level IT employees. For context, Job Bank's median for working cybersecurity specialists in Canada is C$49.52 an hour, and the US median for information security analysts was US$129,180 in May 2025.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity apprenticeships are a good way into the field, but there are fewer open seats than most lists suggest. In Canada, start with the IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous Peoples if you're eligible, or a free program such as NPower Canada's or ACCES Employment's. In the US, set alerts for IBM, Apprenti and federal programs such as DHS and the Department of War, because their windows open and close quickly.

Whichever route you choose, keep building skills while you wait for a window to open. A home lab and an entry-level certification make any application stronger.

Thinking about a cybersecurity career? See our Cybersecurity program.

Related reading

• How to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst: A Step by Step Guide
• 75+ Cyber Security Interview Questions and Answers
• 40+ Essential Cyber Security Terms Every Aspiring Analyst Should Know

Sources

All pages checked on 27 October 2026.

• Government of Canada, Digital Talent Strategy 2023 to 2024 year in review: IT Apprenticeship Program length, 2024 applications and hires, number of departments.
• Public Services and Procurement Canada, Apprenticeship program for Indigenous Peoples: ESDC role, apprentices on an IT security team.
• ESDC IT Accessibility Office, Reconciliation in Action: selection on potential, link to the program page.
• IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous Peoples, Q&A: entry-level paid position, salaries paid by departments.
• Public Service Commission, jobs for Indigenous people (modified February 2026): IT Apprenticeship Program listed as ongoing hiring.
• Treasury Board Secretariat, alternative educational requirements notice: completion meets the IT education requirement.
• Red Seal trades list: 54 trades, none in IT or cybersecurity.
• NPower Canada, Network Security Professional program: eligibility, length, cost, certification pathway, next cohort.
• ACCES Employment, Cybersecurity Connections: eligibility, length, cost, info sessions and cohort dates.
• CSE, Student opportunities and CSE careers: student eligibility, clearance time, when to apply. CSE, Hiring process and security: Canadian citizenship requirement, clearance level, polygraph.
• ICTC, WIL Digital partnerships (February 2026): wage subsidy of up to $7,000 for student placements.
• Job Bank, cybersecurity specialist wages and job prospects: Canadian hourly wages and outlook.
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts: US job growth, openings and median pay.
• CSO Online and SecurityInfoWatch on the ISC2 2025 Cybersecurity Workforce Study: skills gap figures, no headcount estimate.
• IBM Careers, The IBM Apprenticeship Program: eligibility, earn-and-learn format, how to apply.
• NICE archive listing, IBM US Apprenticeship Program, Cybersecurity Analyst: registered cyber analyst track.
• DHS, Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program and Cybersecurity Internship Program: eligibility, format, last application windows.
• US Department of War, Cyber Apprenticeship launch, USAJOBS DMDC posting, DefenseScoop and ClearanceJobs: eligibility, pathways, pay, dates, target roles, repayment rule, DC-area location.
• Apprenti, career seeker FAQ, cyber and AI openings update (October 2026), cybersecurity analyst and NICE archive listing for network security administrator: process, eligibility, pay rules, training, status, who it recruits.
• NIST, NICE Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program Finder and Apprenticeship.gov help: the old finder is no longer maintained; where to find current US openings.
• Removed programs: each program's own page, linked in the table above.