Lawmakers in the House and Senate introduced legislation on Wednesday to address the shortage in the cybersecurity workforce.
The Cyber Ready Workforce Act would establish a grant program within the Department of Labor whereby the Secretary of Labor shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to workforce intermediaries, to support the creation, implementation, and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.
Support services provided to apprentices may include career counseling, mentorship, and assistance with transportation, housing, and child care costs.
The Cyber Ready Workforce Act has bipartisan support, with Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) introducing the bill in the Senate, and Reps. Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) sponsoring the legislation in the House.
“We must take action to address the shortage in our cybersecurity workforce in order to fill the gaps in our cyber-defense and meet the demands of a growing industry that creates good-paying jobs in Nevada,” said Rosen.
“This bipartisan legislation will equip our workforce with the tools needed to improve cybersecurity capabilities in businesses and organizations across the country, said Stefanik.”
“This bill is critical for not only our workforce and economy, but for our national security as well,” she added.
A statement by Rosen stated that The Cyber Ready Workforce Act has received national endorsements from the ISACA and CompTIA.
