Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Cyber Ready Workforce Act”.
Cyber Ready Workforce Act
A BILL
To establish a grant program within the Department of Labor to support the creation, implementation, and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress finds the following:
According to projections from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, the United States was already set to experience a shortage of 5,000,000 workers with postsecondary education or training, including training leading to vocational certificates and apprenticeship training, by 2020. The COVID–19 pandemic has only exacerbated this problem.
Registered apprenticeships strengthen the Nation's economy, create pathways to good-paying careers, and help meet the Nation's current workforce demands.
Apprenticeships can help fill the Nation's workforce needs, including in fields not traditionally linked to apprenticeships, such as cybersecurity.
The cybersecurity field has a severe shortage in talent, with over 597,000 job openings today, according to CyberSeek, an interactive cybersecurity jobs heat map funded by the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Employers, especially in cybersecurity and information technology fields, may be unfamiliar with the apprenticeship model or do not have the capacity or resources to develop and implement their own training.
Sec. 3 Definitions
In this Act:
Registered apprenticeship program— The term registered apprenticeship program means a program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
Workforce intermediary— The term workforce intermediary means an entity that facilitates the establishment of registered apprenticeship programs, and may be a partnership that includes one or more of the following as partners:
A business or industry organization.
A community-based organization, as defined in section 3201(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(5)).
A State board or local board, as such terms are defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
A postsecondary education institution with experience in developing and administering registered apprenticeship programs.
A joint labor-management partnership.
An institution of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
A nonprofit organization.
Sec. 4 Cybersecurity apprenticeship grant program
In general— The Secretary of Labor shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to workforce intermediaries, to support the establishment, implementation, and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.
Description of programs eligible— For purposes of subsection (a), registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity shall include technical instruction, workplace training, and industry-recognized certification in cybersecurity. Programs shall—
include certifications in CompTIA Network+, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Windows 10 Technician, Microsoft Certified System Administrator, Certified Network Defender, Certified Ethical Hacker, ISACA Cybersecurity Nexus (CSX), (ISC)2's Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or other industry-recognized certification in cybersecurity;
encourage stackable and portable credentials; and
lead to occupations such as computer support specialists, cybersecurity support technicians, cloud computing architects, computer programmers, computer systems analysts, or security specialists.
Sec. 5 Use of funds
Required activities— A workforce intermediary shall use at least 85 percent of the amount of grant funds received under this Act for the following:
Development and technical support— Complete the apprenticeship registration process with the Department of Labor, and assist employers with other logistical and technical issues.
Employer partnership—
In general— Develop curricula and technical instruction for the registered apprenticeship program in cooperation with local businesses, organizations, and employer-partners, referencing the work roles and tasks outlined in the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework Special Publication 800–181 to develop skills and standards for the program.
Offsite training— Assist employers in paying for the cost of offsite training and acquiring course materials provided to apprentices.
Connecting employers— Connect employers with education and training providers to complement on-the-job learning.
Support services for apprentices— Provide support services to apprentices to assist with their success in the registered apprenticeship program, which may include the following:
Career counseling.
Mentorship.
Assisting with costs of transportation, housing, and child care services.
Allowable activities— A workforce intermediary may use up to 15 percent of the amount of grant funds received under this Act for the following outreach and marketing activities:
Market apprenticeships and the apprenticeship model to employers, secondary school administrators, and counselors.
Recruit and conduct outreach to potential apprentices, including secondary school students, underrepresented populations (such as women and minorities), youth, and veterans.
Connect and collaborate with other workforce intermediaries, and coordinate resources with Federal investments in the registered apprenticeship program, to—
minimize the duplication of efforts;
share best practices; and
widely disseminate training resources and materials developed with grant funds provided under this Act.
Sec. 6 Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.