Part 1: The Broken Handoff: When “Job-Ready” Gets Lost in Translation

What happens when “job-ready” means different things to educators and employers? In this episode of Project Cyber Ready, I’m kicking off a four-part series exploring one of the biggest challenges I see in the cybersecurity workforce: the broken handoff between training and hiring. We have a massive and growing cybersecurity training ecosystem producing tens of thousands of candidates each year. At the same time, employers are navigating a very different reality—one shaped by risk, compliance requirements, changing hiring practices, and the need for measurable, immediately applicable skills. So why aren't those two sides connecting more effectively? In Part 1, The Broken Handoff: When “Job-Ready” Gets Lost in Translation, I unpack the different realities facing employers and educators, how advisory boards can unintentionally create isolated pockets of readiness, and why localized feedback doesn't always translate across the broader job market. I also share three steps I believe can help us start bridging that divide: Shift from opinions to frameworks. Use established frameworks like NIST/NICE, CMMC, and CIS Controls to create a shared language around cybersecurity skills. Standardize around regional market demands. Establish a common baseline for entry-level cybersecurity roles while still accounting for the unique workforce needs of each community. Share resources across pathways. Find ways for universities, community colleges, workforce organizations, and training providers to share resources, hands-on environments, and knowledge rather than operating in silos. We don't need to eliminate advisory boards or industry collaboration. We need to make those connections clearer, more objective, and more scalable. This is Part 1 of our four-part Project Cyber Ready series. Join me as we look at what it will take to build a stronger connection between cybersecurity education, employers, and the workforce. 🎧 Listen in and let’s keep the conversation going. Connect & Join the Movement: Website: https://wecyberup.org/ LinkedIn: Connect with Tony Bryan Subscribe: Hit follow on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode in our 4-pillar rotation.