Case Study: Building Cyber Capability Through Adult Learning – Alex’s Journey With North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC)

For many organisations, cybersecurity skills continue to be vital in maintaining resilience and responding effectively to evolving digital threats. For Alex, a 34-year-old security analyst at Nationwide Building Society, continuing his professional development in this area became an important step in strengthening both his own capability and the value he brings to his team.

Alex had already completed the CompTIA CySA+ qualification with NWSLC, and the positive experience made returning to the college a natural next step. “I’d worked with NWSLC before and had great support, so choosing to continue with the college for PenTest+ was an easy decision,” he explains.

Working closely with penetration testers but not directly carrying out tests himself, Alex recognised the importance of deepening his understanding of their methods. “Understanding their processes, priorities and routines makes me more effective in my role,” he says. “The Pentest+ course followed a really clear, linear learning structure that helped consolidate that knowledge.”

The flexibility of remote learning was particularly valuable. Although Alex didn’t attend the college in person, he found the online experience to be well organised and highly supportive. “The team was always efficient, helpful, and straight to the point – my kind of people,” he adds.

Completing the course has made a direct contribution to Alex’s day to day responsibilities. He has since taken on more PenTest focused activities, contributed to ‘Purple Team’ exercises and strengthened his incident response practice. These developments, combined with his increased confidence, have supported his progression within the organisation. “It’s helped me work more efficiently and has contributed to my promotion. It’s also prepared me for further professional growth.”

Reflecting on his learning experience, Alex encourages others to approach the course with consistency and patience. “The course starts with legal and contract foundations, then becomes much more technical and engaging. Take your time with the labs – they’re your most valuable learning tool.”

He also highlights the long-term value of combining PenTest+ with CompTIA CySA+. “They complement each other perfectly. And if you’re considering remote courses, NWSLC is a no brainer – they provide excellent support every step of the way.”

Digital Skills for Workforce Development

Alex’s experience reflects a growing trend in businesses investing in digital capability, from cybersecurity to broader emerging technologies. NWSLC offers a full range of digital and CompTIA courses that support organisations in developing specialist skills, enhancing resilience and ensuring teams remain equipped for the demands of modern digital environments.

In addition to digital and IT programmes, NWSLC provides a wide selection of fully funded adult courses across multiple sectors — including automotive engineering, early years education and leadership and management — all available subject to postcode eligibility.

Businesses and individuals can explore the full range of opportunities on the NWSLC website here