After completing his On-the-Job Training at Redshift, Pedro Rocha, a graduate of the Cybersecurity Technician/Specialist program, was hired by the company. Here we publish an excerpt from the interview that shares the perspectives of both the company and the graduate.

Redshift in an interview

From your perspective, how important is Work-Based Training in a training program?

At Redshift, we believe that training talent is a shared responsibility between educational institutions and companies. Work-Based Training allows trainees to make the connection between the theoretical knowledge acquired during training and its practical application in real-world work environments. Furthermore, it provides exposure to the challenges, methodologies, and demands of the market that are difficult to replicate in an academic setting. For companies, it also represents an opportunity to better understand the potential of future professionals, assessing not only their technical knowledge but also their ability to learn, adapt, and integrate into a team. It is, therefore, an investment with mutual benefits and potential returns for both parties.

What role do you believe host organizations should play in this process? Host organizations should take an active and responsible role in the training process and view it as an investment in talent development, providing guidance and exposure to real-world work situations. It is up to companies to create the conditions that allow trainees to apply their knowledge, acquire new skills, and understand the responsibilities associated with their future profession.

Based on what you’ve observed, what aspects would you highlight regarding the preparation of CINEL trainees?

The CINEL trainees we had the opportunity to work with demonstrated solid technical and theoretical preparation, showing confidence in the skills they acquired throughout their training program.

What skills or attitudes caught your attention the most during the Work-Based Training?

We particularly highlighted their ability to adapt to new challenges, their ease in handling unfamiliar situations, and their openness to continuous learning. (…) We also valued their willingness to communicate and work as part of a team, as well as the speed with which they developed skills in technical English and in using artificial intelligence tools to support their daily activities (…)

Would you recommend that other companies take on CINEL trainees in Work-Based Training programs? Why?

Absolutely. We recommend that companies actively participate in Work-Based Training programs, not only because of the contribution they make to the development of young professionals, but also because of the opportunity to identify and develop talent for their own teams. In the specific case of CINEL, we recognize the quality of the training provided and the professionalism of its instructors—factors that help prepare professionals with a solid foundation and high growth potential. This combination facilitates their integration into organizations and creates the conditions for faster and more sustained professional growth.

Interview with Pedro Rocha

What led you to choose CINEL?

I was looking for a professional training center that offered practical, job-market-oriented training, especially in the field of cybersecurity, which has always sparked my interest. The Cybersecurity CET at CINEL seemed like a good opportunity to deepen my technical knowledge and gain real-world experience at a proven institution.

What aspects did you value most about CINEL as a training center?

What I valued most about CINEL was the practical component of the training, the interaction with experienced instructors, and the connection to the professional world. I also appreciated the learning environment and the willingness to support the trainees, which greatly helped in developing my skills throughout the program.

What technical and personal skills do you feel you developed throughout the course and the On-the-Job Training? I developed various technical skills, such as network security, vulnerability analysis, best practices for system protection, and incident response. On a personal level, I would highlight my improved time management skills and my ability to adapt to different professional situations.

About Redshift

Redshift Global is a Portuguese group comprising Redshift Consulting, Redshift II Solutions, Redshift III Innovation, Redshift SPV, and Redshift “Spain,” which offers highly specialized cybersecurity solutions and services to the global market.