Government of Canada announces more support for Ryerson University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

News release

Nearly $660,000 to help young workers in Peel Region explore new employment opportunities, create up to 20 jobs and bolster Canada’s cybersecurity sector

February 11, 2021 - Brampton, Ontario 

Technological innovation fuels digital transformation and drives international competitiveness, all while revitalizing existing industries and opening up new markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of cybersecurity as the world continues to adopt digital technology solutions. As we find ways to grow and recover, creating a safe and secure cyber space is critical to Canada’s competitiveness, economic stability and prosperity now and into the future.

Additional support for world-class cyber security hub
 

At today’s virtual launch of Ryerson University’s Catalyst Cyber Range, Kate Young, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario), announced an additional FedDev Ontario investment of nearly $660,000 for Ryerson University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, to support young workers in Peel Region who have been displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This support will address immediate employment needs, by leveraging the proven cybersecurity training model developed by the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst to create the Peel Region Young Worker Cybersecurity Training Program. This workforce training initiative for unemployed or under-employed young workers in the region will deliver newly certified young cybersecurity professionals into the Canadian cybersecurity ecosystem and drive diversity in this rapidly growing sector.

The program will recruit high-potential learners from Peel Region who do not have a background in cybersecurity (only a high-school diploma is required), provide training to these workers in cybersecurity fundamentals, security essentials and cybersecurity incident handling, and support these workers in obtaining full-time entry-level employment in the cybersecurity sector. Each graduate of the program will earn two internationally recognized certifications in cybersecurity. This new initiative will run from February to December 2021.

Today’s announcement builds on a $10-million FedDev Ontario investment in Ryerson University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, including the Catalyst Cyber Range that was launched today, which will help Canadian companies defend themselves against cyber threats, create opportunities for entrepreneurs in the industry and give Canadians the skills needed to succeed in the fast-growing cybersecurity job market. The original project is expected to provide cybersecurity training and graduate 600 cybersecurity professionals by 2023. The additional support announced today will enable The Catalyst to graduate a new cohort of 20 cybersecurity professionals by the end of 2021.

For more information including how to apply, please visit the Ryerson Cybersecure Catalyst website. 

Quotes

“Canada is one of the most connected countries in the world. We live our lives online, and we need to be able to trust our cyber systems. FedDev Ontario’s continued support for the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst demonstrates our Government’s commitment to overcome cybersecurity challenges and to provide youth with meaningful career opportunities in this fast growing sector.”

- Kate Young, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario)

“By leveraging expertise from our post-secondary institutions, like Ryerson University, and drawing from a strong pipeline of Canadian talent, our Government is ensuring that as we find ways to grow and recover in the wake of COVID-19, our workers have the right skills to seize the opportunities of this new economy and help protect Canadians’ privacy and security online.” 

- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“FedDev Ontario’s continued support for the Cybersecure Catalyst comes at a pivotal time. As youth employment has been impacted by the pandemic, this program will harness the talent that Brampton has to offer, especially in the cybersecurity sector, and will provide meaningful work and learning opportunities to position our youth for success. Since the launch of the project, Ryerson has continued to demonstrate its leadership in this important field by creating training opportunities and resources Canadians need to overcome cybersecurity challenges and develop the skills needed for the jobs of the future. We are excited to see the new support for local youth through this new program and all of the benefits it will bring to the Brampton region.”

- Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South
- Kamal Khera, Member of Parliament for Brampton West
- Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament for Brampton North
- Maninder Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton East

"Ryerson University and the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst are very grateful for this investment from FedDev Ontario. By leveraging the proven model of the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, this additional support will address immediate employment and cybersecurity needs by assisting young workers in Peel Region who have been displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

- Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice Chancellor of Ryerson University

Quick facts

  • Ryerson University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst is a not-for-profit corporation that works to solve critical cybersecurity challenges and seize new opportunities through training, commercial acceleration, applied research and development, and public education. 

  • With a commitment that 50% of the cohort will be women and 50% of the cohort will be BIPOC, the project will deliver training and certification for displaced workers; support new cybersecurity companies through the Catalyst Cyber Accelerator; and provide testing and training for learners and researchers through the Catalyst Cyber Range.  

  • Peel Region is located within the Toronto–Waterloo Innovation Corridor which contributes over $360 billion annually, or 17 percent, to the national GDP, and has the potential to become one of the world’s top innovation ecosystems, including growing opportunities in the cybersecurity sector. 

  • Since November 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $110 million in 19 cybersecurity projects across southern Ontario.

Associated links

Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
catherine.mounier-desrochers@canada.ca

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
fdo.mediarel-relmedias.fdo@canada.ca
Toll Free: 1-866-593-5505

Stay connected

Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca

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