Students enrolled in the center must complete a two-year program that offers up to three cybersecurity certifications — allowing the students to directly enter the workforce or further their education with college or the military.
The center is overseen by the LindenPointe Development Corporation, or LDC, which operates out of the eCenter@LindenPointe in Hermitage.
The center’s programs are expected to grow following the announcement Tuesday by state Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Mercer) that the Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Center was awarded a $100,000 Job Training and Education Programs Grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
LDC Executive Director Bradley Calleja said the grant funds would go toward developing an esports league, which would operate out of the center’s campus at LindenPointe.
The esports league would cater to students from schools across Pennsylvania and combine the enjoyment of competitive video games with real-world education and training in fields like cybersecurity and computer science, Calleja said.
“At this point, many universities have full esports teams and offer scholarships for esports,” Calleja said. “And we have a partnership with the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, which both have esports teams that travel the country and compete.”
Cybersecurity center officials are in the process of recruiting students and school districts for the esports league.
The league is expected to kick off this fall during the next school year, using a 25-seat computer lab at the Training and Workforce Development Center, located near the eCenter.
Aside from esports, the $100,000 grant and other funding sources will also support new training and certifications at the cybersecurity center, such as trainings aimed at artificial intelligence or summer bootcamps, Calleja said.
Although it is not yet known when those new programs and certifications will be in place, officials say the center has already proven successful since its opening in 2022.
When the Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Center’s current cohort of students graduate, it will mark about 350 total students trained — with almost 100 percent of those students successfully passing their certification exams.
“I think it’s been a huge success so far, with the great partnerships we’ve established throughout the community and the students we’ve served,” Calleja said. “It’s exciting to see students taking and passing their last certification tests at the end of the program, and we’re excited to continue bringing them these kinds of programs.”
Calleja thanked Hermitage city leaders, including City Manager Gary Hinkson, Assistant City Manager Gary Gulla and Business and Community Development Director Mark Longietti for supporting the center’s mission.
Calleja also thanked Wentling and his team, who were “instrumental” in helping Calleja and center Program Director Rick Love write the grant and present it to the state.
Wentling said in the news release the $100,000 grant would support the future workforce and the local economy.
As a former technology education teacher, Wentling said he recognized that cybersecurity and information technology are rapidly growing fields.
“It’s critical we equip our students and workers with the skills they need to succeed,” Wentling said. “I’m proud to have secured this grant for the Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Center and to support opportunities that will benefit our community for years to come.”
One of the Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Center’s many programs planned for this year will be a community “Stop the Scam” event planned for 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 11 at the Hickory VFW Post 6166, 5550 E. State St., Hermitage.
© 2026 The Herald (Sharon,Pa). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
