PCWA Home | Internships | CTF Competitions | Workforce Insights | Project Documents
PCWA partners meet regularly to encourage collaboration and ensure objectives are reached. Below are details of project meetings held throughout the project.
PCWA Partner Meeting Summaries
Download the PCWA Project Meeting Packet to view detailed agendas and minutes for all meetings held thus far in the project.
Date: September 23, 2026 | Members Present: 11
Summary: The September partner meeting focused on advancing cybersecurity workforce development initiatives, preparing for the fall K-12 cybersecurity competition, and identifying gaps between education, workforce preparation, and industry needs. Partners discussed ongoing student internship projects, expanding employer and student survey participation, and strengthening resources to support cybersecurity career exploration and adoption of the NICE Framework. Industry representatives emphasized the importance of demonstrable technical competencies, hands-on experience, and professional skills in preparing students for employment. Additional discussion addressed regional workforce shortages, barriers to entry-level employment, the evolving impact of AI on cybersecurity careers, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration between educational institutions and employers to improve workforce readiness and career pathways.
Date: July 13, 2026 | Members Present: 10
Summary: The July partner meeting focused on expanding internship and certification opportunities, strengthening industry partnerships, and planning future cybersecurity workforce development activities. Partners emphasized the importance of hands-on experience, industry-recognized credentials, and accessible certification pathways for both community college and K-12 students. Discussion included ongoing student internship projects, strategies to increase certification participation, and opportunities to connect students with industry employers. Additional priorities included developing resources to support adoption of the NICE Framework, planning a fall K-12 cybersecurity competition, and expanding outreach and collaboration to strengthen cybersecurity education and career pathways.
Date: May 11, 2026 | Members Present: 7
Summary: The May partner meeting focused on reviewing preliminary employer survey results and discussing workforce trends, internship opportunities, and project priorities. Partners highlighted the growing importance of technical and professional skills, hands-on experience, and alignment with industry needs, while identifying continued challenges in securing internships for community college students. Additional discussion included expanding adoption of the NICE Framework, preparing for future K-12 cybersecurity competitions, and strengthening outreach, workforce development, and experiential learning efforts to support long-term project goals.
Date: April 13, 2026 | Members Present: 9
Summary: The April partner meeting focused on internship opportunities, outreach efforts, and preparations for the upcoming K-12 Capture the Flag competition. Partners discussed internship availability, funding limitations, and strategies to increase student participation in project-supported opportunities. Additional discussion emphasized expanding promotion of cybersecurity events, recruiting participants for the K-12 competition and summer cybersecurity camp, and encouraging industry support through sponsorships and community engagement.
Date: March 2, 2026 | Members Present: 10
Summary: The March partner meeting focused on advancing core project activities, including increasing participation in the partner survey, expanding paid internship opportunities, and preparing for the upcoming K-12 cybersecurity competition. Partners reviewed progress on job postings and student engagement efforts, and emphasized the importance of strong outreach and early promotion. Additional discussion included sponsorship opportunities for student prizes and continued coordination to support upcoming events and project goals.
Date: January 29, 2026 | Members Present: 10
Summary: During the January partner meeting, participants reviewed progress since the project launch and discussed key initiatives, including the development of the partner survey, internship opportunities, and upcoming cybersecurity competitions. Updates to the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework were shared, and partners were encouraged to provide feedback. The group also discussed expectations for internships and collaborative outreach efforts, while planning continued coordination through monthly meetings and shared project resources.
Date: November 10, 2025 | Members Present: 11
Summary: The PCWA Kick-Off Meeting introduced partners to the goals and structure of the PA Cyber Workforce Alliance, including expanding certifications, advancing the NICE Framework, increasing K-12 engagement, and creating hands-on learning opportunities. Partners discussed their roles in outreach, internships, and workforce development, while also reviewing reporting expectations and project timelines. Initial feedback emphasized the importance of collaboration, real-world experience, and aligning training with employer needs to strengthen the cybersecurity talent pipeline.