How an aerospace giant bridges the cyber skills gap.

Need

Leonardo Technologies – a global leader in defence, aerospace, and security – faced critical challenges:

  • A severe shortage of cyber skills in the industry, with the gap growing yearly.
  • Hiring practices, focused on past experience, were limiting talent pool diversity.
  • An urgent need for innovative approaches to identify and develop potential in candidates.
  • A priority to strengthen security through diverse teams and creative problem-solving.

Solution

Leonardo partnered with WithYouWithMe (WYWM) – experts in helping companies to identify, grow and retain talent from within their own ranks – to implement a skills-first approach:

  • Utilising WYWM’s ‘Potential’ platform for aptitude testing and talent mapping.
  • Developing a skills taxonomy defining essential competencies for all roles.
  • Implementing ‘squad’ model hiring, focusing on military leavers and underrepresented groups.
  • Hosting ‘Job Accelerator’ events to connect with potential candidates.
  • Providing GCHQ-accredited Cyber Training Course for selected candidates.

Value

The partnership yielded eight significant benefits:

  • Expanded the talent pool by tapping into previously overlooked groups – particularly military veterans.
  • Improved diversity and inclusion in hiring practices.
  • Enhanced ability to identify and develop potential in candidates, rather than rely solely on past experience.
  • Increased retention through upskilling and clear career progression paths.
  • Strengthened security capabilities through diverse teams and innovative problem-solving.
  • Created a scalable model for addressing skills gaps across multiple business lines.
  • Contributed to social responsibility by providing opportunities to underserved communities.
  • Established a framework for continuous training and improved mobility within the organisation.

This approach demonstrates how enterprises can effectively address critical skills shortages by focusing on potential and providing targeted training, benefiting both the company and wider community.

MORE INFO
FOLLOW
IN TOUCH
© 2025 Clustre, The Solution Brokers All rights reserved.
  • We will use the data you submit to fulfil your request. Privacy Policy.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.