Cyber firm targets younger generation
A Dorset-headquartered cyber security company C3IA Solutions, is investing in the younger generation to drive its growth.
Above:
Lucy Dalley, Aidan Ritchie and Hannah Baverstock.
Courtesy C3IA Solutions
C3IA Solutions Ltd, based in Poole, is growing rapidly and has 150 members of its team working across the public and private sectors.
The company's expansion signifies a commitment to offering a wide range of employment opportunities.
These include university placements, work experience and apprenticeship schemes.
It has resulted in a crop of young talents joining C3IA's cyber, marketing, compliance, and finance departments.
Traditionally the cyber industry is male-dominated and C3IA has recruited heavily from the military and continues to do so.
Yet in the last few years it has decided to also look towards the younger generation and is reaping the rewards.
Lucy Dalley and Hannah Baverstock both completed work experience placements at the company and are now working in the cyber security side of the business, as a Security Consultant and a Junior Consultant respectively.
Speaking of the support she receives from C3IA, Hannah said: "Though I am a graduate without a lot of experience, my input is genuinely valued and listened to. C3IA actively invests in their staff, allowing me to follow what I love and advance my career."
Other newcomers include Aidan Ritchie who was recruited as the Quality, Environment, Safety, Health and Compliance manager and the company's first apprentice, Ellie Chapman, who is completing a qualification in finance administration.
Jim Hawkins from the company said: “There is huge value in recruiting younger people. We have welcomed some highly skilled and motivated individuals over the last few years.
“We’ve had teenagers on work experience and are committed to developing the next generation of cyber professionals.
“Through our relationship with the UK’s Cyber Security Council, we have shared a work experience programme that other companies may be able to employ.
“Of course, hiring young people means we can train and develop them in how we do things – but we also learn from them, which is equally important.
“Whilst the cyber security sector is traditionally male-dominated, through Lucy and Hannah and our connections with local educational institutions, we are actively encouraging all young adults to consider it as a career.
“It is a growing industry experiencing a shortage of professionals so by encouraging younger people we are investing in the industry’s future and growing a diverse workforce from a wide variety of backgrounds and abilities.”
