Turn your technical potential into a career in cyber security

The Cyber Talent Incubator Network (CTIN) is a six-month, task-based mentoring programme designed to help technically capable individuals develop the practical skills, professional confidence and industry connections needed to progress into entry-level cyber security roles.

Through structured technical coaching, hands-on challenges, professional development and direct engagement with cyber security employers, CTIN provides a clear pathway for individuals who have developed technical knowledge but need additional experience and support to take the next step in their careers.

Programme activities are aligned with the Cyber Essentials Plus standard and provide participants with the opportunity to work towards the Vulnerability Assessment Plus (VA+) certification. This industry-recognised certification is mandated for individuals operating as Cyber Essentials Plus Assessors and is highly valued by employers delivering Cyber Essentials Plus assessment services.

Your journey will be guided by an experienced Lead Cyber Mentor alongside the CEO of a technology talent recruitment company. You will also be connected with a cyber security industry mentor who will provide additional guidance and challenges throughout the programme.

With only 45 places available, CTIN offers a focused and supportive environment where participants can learn alongside like-minded individuals, connect with industry professionals and build the skills required to progress into cyber security employment.

Participants who successfully complete the programme requirements and achieve the VA+ certification will receive support to move towards the next stage of their careers, including assistance accessing relevant employment opportunities and pastoral support during the early stages of a new role.

What you will gain

By completing the Cyber Talent Incubator Network programme, you will benefit from:

• A structured, task-based mentoring programme designed to realign your existing knowledge and technical skills towards cyber security vulnerability management

• The opportunity to work towards The Cyber Scheme Vulnerability Assessment Plus (VA+) certification

• Practical experience aligned with the Cyber Essentials Plus standard

• More than 50 hours of mentoring, coaching and professional development

• Hands-on technical challenges designed to develop and demonstrate your skills

• Guidance and additional challenges from an experienced cyber security industry mentor

• Opportunities to engage directly with cyber security employers and industry leaders

• Professional development and career-readiness support

• Support with CV development, LinkedIn and preparing for employment

• Access to cyber security career opportunities and assistance progressing into a relevant role

• Continued pastoral support during the early stages of your new career

Your CTIN journey

At the beginning of the programme, you will receive a personalised Mentee Plan from the Lead Cyber Mentor. This will guide your development and outline the activities, technical tasks and challenges you will be expected to complete.

Throughout the six-month programme, you will:

• Attend weekly online seminars

• Complete practical, hands-on cyber security challenges

• Develop knowledge and competencies aligned with cyber security vulnerability assessment

• Join and actively participate in the CTIN Discord community

• Work with a dedicated cyber security industry mentor

• Complete additional technical challenges set by your mentor

• Dedicate a minimum of 10 hours each week to learning and personal development

• Attend one face-to-face workshop each month at the GM Digital Security Hub (DiSH) in Manchester

The monthly workshops will provide opportunities to meet other CTIN participants, develop your professional readiness and engage with potential employers and cyber security leaders.

Sessions may include technical masterclasses, talks from representatives of cyber security organisations, employer engagement and practical career information, advice and guidance.

Programme timeline

The programme will begin with an online induction in September 2026.

Cyber security vulnerability assessment mentoring and coaching will begin in September 2026 and continue throughout the programme.

Participants will attend six face-to-face workshops between October 2026 and March 2027:

• Workshop 1 — October 2026

• Workshop 2 — November 2026

• Workshop 3 — December 2026

• Workshop 4 — January 2027

• Workshop 5 — February 2027

• Workshop 6 — March 2027

The VA+ certification examination is scheduled to take place in January 2027.

Individual personal development, career-readiness support and assistance accessing cyber security employment opportunities will begin from January 2027 onwards.

Who is CTIN for?

There are only 45 places available, and we are looking for individuals who can demonstrate the motivation, commitment and desire to build a successful career in cyber security.

We want to create a diverse cohort that brings together people with different experiences, skills and routes into technology.

CTIN may be suitable for you if you are:

• A graduate who has completed a technology or cyber-related degree but has been unable to secure relevant employment

• Someone who has completed a Skills Bootcamp or similar training programme but has not yet progressed into a role related to cyber security or technology

• Looking to return to a technology or cyber security career and have previous experience within an IT-related role

• A parent or carer looking to develop your skills and progress into a new career

• Currently unemployed or facing redundancy due to the impact of AI or workplace automation

• Working as an IT Technician or in a similar technical position and looking to progress into cyber security

• Currently working in another industry but have developed technical knowledge through independent learning, professional certifications or platforms such as Hack The Box or TryHackMe

We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled people, neurodivergent individuals and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, as these groups continue to be underrepresented across cyber security and the wider technology industry.

Eligibility criteria

To apply for the Cyber Talent Incubator Network, you must:

• Be aged 18 or over

• Live in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire or Merseyside

• Be a UK resident with the Right to Work in the UK

• Be able to meet the requirements necessary to gain Security Clearance

• Be able to attend all mandatory online sessions

• Be able to travel to the face-to-face workshops in Manchester at your own expense

What is expected from CTIN participants?

CTIN is an intensive programme designed to accelerate your technical development and improve your career opportunities.

To gain the greatest benefit from the programme, you will need to demonstrate commitment, consistency and a proactive approach to your development.

All participants will be expected to:

• Attend every scheduled online session and face-to-face workshop

• Complete all weekly technical tasks and practical challenges

• Dedicate a minimum of 10 hours each week to learning and personal development

• Actively engage with their industry mentor

• Complete additional challenges provided by their mentor

• Join the CTIN Discord community and check it daily for announcements, programme information and opportunities

• Read all weekly programme emails to remain informed about announcements and any programme changes

• Begin developing and regularly updating their CV and LinkedIn profile from the early stages of the programme

• Demonstrate a positive, proactive and solution-focused approach to learning

Many participants may choose to invest additional time beyond the minimum 10-hour weekly commitment to further develop their technical skills and knowledge.

Technology requirements

To participate successfully, you will need access to:

• A reliable laptop capable of completing technical activities and virtual labs

• A stable broadband internet connection with a minimum download speed of 30Mbps

• A wired internet connection where possible

Your equipment and internet connection will be required to attend online sessions, complete virtual labs and technical challenges, participate in the CTIN community and undertake the VA+ examination.

The VA+ certification opportunity

As part of CTIN, participants will have the opportunity to undertake The Cyber Scheme Vulnerability Assessment Plus (VA+) certification examination.

The VA+ certification is mandated for individuals operating as Cyber Essentials Plus Assessors and is highly valued by employers delivering Cyber Essentials Plus assessment services.

Access to the VA+ examination must be unlocked through active participation and successful progress during the programme.

To become eligible for the examination, you will need to:

• Complete the required weekly tasks and technical challenges

• Attend the mandatory online seminars

• Attend all mandatory face-to-face workshops

• Successfully complete a mock assessment

Your commitment and engagement throughout the programme will play an important role in determining your readiness to undertake the certification.