May 3, 2024 – Home, Kan – Candace Wright, chief executive officer of Blue Valley Technologies/Networks Plus was recently invited to speak as part of a five-member panel at the White House, on the subject matter of staffing the industries across the country with a strong cyber workforce.

On April 29, 2024, the National Cyber Director, Harry Coker, Jr., hosted a first-of-its-kind convening with representatives from approximately 30 companies and institutions across the country. In a press release issued by the White House, the National Cyber Director said, “with more than 500,000 cybersecurity positions open in the United States, the Biden-Harris Administration is working to overhaul the federal hiring process to become fully skills-based for an entire series of technical employees.”

Skills-based hiring opens opportunities to workers who have learned skills in programs like apprenticeships and other training programs rather than relying solely on two or four-year college degree requirements. The press release explained the Biden-Harris Administration has prioritized expanding registered apprenticeships and has invested $440 million in related programs. President Biden signed an Executive Order this past March to expand registered apprenticeship programs in the Federal Government.  

During Wright’s time at the microphone, she explained that BVT/NWP is committed to using skills-based hiring when recruiting new talent. The company provides paid cyber job training to educate all employees but focuses primarily on the advancement of the IT technicians’ skillsets. “It was an honor to bring the rural perspective of the challenges in obtaining a skilled cyber workforce to Washington DC.”  She added, “Having a skilled cyber workforce starts with promoting digital literacy and encouraging our youth to explore careers in cybersecurity and information technology.”  

Wright’s rural perspective had several heads nodding as she discussed the cruciality of having a skilled cyber workforce to ensure the future security of small to medium sized businesses. Having a strong line of defense includes a future with enough skilled cyber employees. “To engage and pique the interest of rural youth in cybersecurity jobs, we participate in job and career fairs at local schools and universities and are hopeful we can initiate a shared internship program with area state and vocational colleges,” she said.    

It is this forward-thinking leadership that contributed to the recent national cyber champion award the company received.

Joining Wright at the White House included representatives from Verizon, Union Pacific Railroad, Motorola Solutions, and others.