Developed by industry led consortia, apprenticeships combine both work-based and off the job training while in employment. Approved by the Apprenticeship Council and funded under the National Training Fund, apprenticeships provide a pathway to careers for school leavers, jobseekers and those looking to change career. A 2 year Associate Professional in CyberSecurity apprenticeship at QQI level 6 was launched in February 2019 with SAP as the industry lead and Fastrack to Information Technology (FIT) as the coordinating provider. Also, the third level sector in Ireland has also begun to offer a significant number of courses in cyber security, with at least 8 Masters level courses now on offer. Cyber security programmes are also being supported through the Springboard+ programme, which is increasingly facilitating those already in employment to reskill into alternative roles or occupations. This will be important with the rising demand for cyber security skillsets. The Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation with the Department of the Taoiseach launched Future Jobs Ireland in March 2019, a new multi-annual framework to ensure our enterprises and workers are resilient and prepared for future challenges and opportunities. Future Jobs Ireland will also ensure our enterprises and workers are well positioned to adapt to the technological and other transformational changes our economy and society will face in the years ahead. Although wide ranging in scope, one of the five Pillars within Future Jobs Ireland is “Embracing Innovation and Technological Change”. The framework recognises the need for new and diverse skillsets to meet our changing economy and “exploit cutting edge technological areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, the Internet of Things and Blockchain to facilitate and help companies co-innovate and develop solutions”. A series of ambitions and deliverables have been identified to achieve these aims including increasing the capacity of SMEs to engage in research & development, providing high quality education and training, encouraging lifelong learning, and enhancing participation in apprenticeship programmes. A number of initiatives have already commenced under the medium-term ambitions outlined in Future Jobs Ireland 2019. Each year Future Jobs Ireland will set out new steps to deliver on these ambitions. Key Developments 1. Technology Skills 2022 has been published and implemented. 2. Skillnet Ireland launched their Cyber Security Skills Initiative to deliver a broad programme of initiatives in the field. 3. Fastrack to Information Technology have launched a Cyber Security Programme for apprentices. 37