Holyoke Community College (HCC) was recently recognized with the “Igniting Workforce Success” award from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (now known as MassAbility) for its innovative CyberOps training program.
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Holyoke Community College (HCC) was recently recognized with the “Igniting Workforce Success” award from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (now known as MassAbility) for its innovative CyberOps training program.
This nine-month, remote training initiative is designed to equip individuals with disabilities to become cybersecurity analysts.
The award was presented to HCC for its partnership with MassAbility, which empowers people with disabilities through career and employment programs. The CyberOps program, which is offered for free, provides students with rigorous training that opens doors to high-paying careers in the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity.
Kermit Dunkelberg, HCC vice president for adult basic education and workforce development, center, accepts the “Igniting Workforce Success” award from MassAbility Commissioner Toni Walsh, right. Also pictured: Salvador Pina, dean of workforce and business development at Roxbury Community College. The two colleges were recognized for the cybersecurity training programs they run in partnership with the state agency, formerly called the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. (Courtesy of Holyoke Community College)
Kermit Dunkelberg, vice president of adult basic education and workforce development at HCC, accepted the award at the MassAbility’s Igniting Workforce Success conference. He praised the collaboration between HCC and MassAbility, saying, “This award is a great recognition of our partnership. Together, we are re-envisioning employment and people’s lives.”
Launched in 2020, the CyberOps program was the first of its kind in Massachusetts, created with a vision from MassAbility to offer training in cybersecurity. Since its inception, roughly 60 students have completed the course, many securing paid internships that have led to full-time jobs as cybersecurity analysts. Based on its success, the program has expanded to Roxbury Community College, which also received an award for its efforts.
The program’s intensive curriculum spans 900 hours of training over 10 months, during which students study for 30 hours a week. Upon completion, graduates take certification exams to become Cisco Certified Support Technicians and Cisco Certified Networking Associates. This opens up pathways for graduates to secure positions at major tech companies such as Dell Technologies.
One notable success story is a participant from HCC’s first class, who went from making pizzas at Big Y to earning $80,000 annually as a cybersecurity consultant after completing the program. While some graduates pursue high-paying positions, others find meaningful roles in local organizations, such as working in IT support at libraries or interning at HCC’s own IT department.
“The difference this program can make in someone’s life is huge in terms of economic self-sufficiency,” Dunkelberg added, highlighting how the program has given participants the skills and confidence to succeed in the workforce.
Instructor Dalip Singh, who teaches the CyberOps class, was also recognized for his work, receiving the Above and Beyond Award from the Cisco Networking Academy in 2023 for his contributions to the program.
Looking ahead, Dunkelberg expressed enthusiasm for the potential to expand the program and is already in talks with MassAbility to explore new training partnerships.
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