The bill opens with a series of findings that underscore the urgency of its mission. According to projections by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, the U.S. was on course to face a significant deficit of 5 million workers with the appropriate postsecondary education or vocational training by 2020—a predicament that has only intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Apprenticeships have long been heralded for their dual role in fortifying the economy while offering pathways to lucrative careers. However, the cybersecurity field, brimming with potential yet grappling with over 597,000 job vacancies, has rarely been linked with this tried-and-true training model.
The bill offers an antidote to this mismatch by promoting the registered apprenticeship system, defined succinctly as programs registered under the 1937 National Apprenticeship Act. Furthermore, it delineates the concept of workforce intermediaries, entities vital to the initiative’s rollout. These could range from business organizations and community-based organizations to educational institutions and nonprofit entities, all coordinated to seed and nurture these apprenticeship programs.
What will these grants look like in action? Under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, grants will be competitively awarded to workforce intermediaries to forge cybersecurity apprenticeship programs. These apprenticeships will encompass technical instruction, workplace training, and will lead to industry-recognized certifications in cybersecurity. Specifically, the bill lists certifications like CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified System Administrator, and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) among others. The ultimate aim is to open gateways to roles such as cybersecurity support technicians, cloud computing architects, computer programmers, and other crucial positions in the digital defense ecosystem.
Strategically, a hefty 85% of the grant funds must be utilized for core activities essential to the apprenticeship’s success. This includes aiding firms through the registration process, developing relevant curricula in collaboration with employers, and supporting apprentices with services like career counseling and mentorship. Furthermore, it supports some logistical aspects such as transportation, child care, and housing if needed.
Meanwhile, the remaining 15% of the funds may be allocated toward outreach and marketing—critical for building awareness and drawing participants into these programs. Efforts will be made to reach high school students, underrepresented groups such as women and minorities, as well as veterans. Workforce intermediaries will also be encouraged to network with one another to minimize overlap, share best practices, and disseminate training resources efficiently.
Funding for this initiative hinges on appropriations as yet unspecified, but marked as “such sums as may be necessary” to ensure the program’s execution. In terms of legislative navigation, the bill, currently referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, will need to clear both Houses of Congress and gain the President’s signature to become law.
The Cyber Ready Workforce Act sits at the intersection of workforce development and national security, aiming at comprehensive talent cultivation in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. If successful, it promises to not only fill a glaring cybersecurity talent gap but also offer robust, sustainable careers for countless Americans.
