Introducing Cyber Aspire: boosting confidence and opening doors for students in Wales

CyberAspire is a targeted intervention designed for students in year 12 or college year 1 who show potential but may need an extra boost to build their confidence and aspirations in cyber. Teachers and lecturers from CyberFirst schools and colleges in Wales will be asked to identify a small group of students from their classes who might benefit — whether that’s girls, students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, or simply students who need some encouragement to aim higher.

Why Cyber Aspire?

Across Wales, CyberFirst has already proven effective in raising aspirations and diversifying computing pathways. But we know some learners can still slip through the cracks. CyberAspire is designed to give these students the chance to:

• experience success in a supportive competition environment
• build technical skills and problem-solving confidence
• connect their classroom learning to real-world cyber challenges
• see a pathway into further competitions, opportunities, and even careers
• consider applying for a CyberFirst bursary

How it works

This year, CyberAspire will run over one week between 3rd-7th November on the TryHackMe platform. Selected students will complete challenges independently, in school, or both, working as individuals, with their progress tracked on a leader board. At the end of the week, the top-scoring students from across Wales will win prizes, and bragging rights!

Importantly, CyberAspire is timed to run just before the annual ACE-CSE competition (for years 10–13). This gives students the chance to build confidence and momentum before stepping up to a larger-scale challenge — creating a natural pathway for further growth and encouraging them to consider studying tech-related degrees in university.

Building confidence, inspiring futures

CyberAspire isn’t just about coding or hacking. It’s about showing students — especially those who might not see themselves in cyber yet — that they belong here, that their skills matter, and that there are exciting futures waiting for them in technology and security. They will be specially chosen by their teachers and lecturers as students exhibiting promise in this area.

We’ll be working closely with our CyberFirst schools and colleges to make this programme a success. Together, we can help unlock potential, raise aspirations, and keep building a diverse and resilient pipeline of cyber talent in Wales.

what’s next for cyber aspire

CyberAspire is launching as a competition, giving students from CyberFirst schools and colleges the chance to test their skills on the TryHackMe platform and compete against peers across Wales and beyond.

But this is just the start. CyberFirst Wales plans to grow CyberAspire into a year-long programme that offers even more opportunities to the students who need it most. Future developments will include:

• Work insight days with local technology companies
• CyberFirst Defenders courses to build hands-on skills and confidence
• Mentoring and application support from CyberFirst bursary alumni, helping students take the next step towards funding and training opportunities

This evolution will ensure CyberAspire doesn’t just inspire students for a week — it will support them throughout the year, giving them the boost they need to see themselves in cyber and take their first real steps towards a future career.