The Cyber Ready Workforce Act would establish a grant program within the Department of Labor to help create and expand registered apprenticeship programs focused on cybersecurity training. The grants would be awarded competitively to workforce intermediaries—organizations that could include businesses, community groups, schools, nonprofits, and labor partnerships—to support the development of these apprenticeships. The programs would combine technical instruction, on-the-job training, and industry-recognized certifications in areas like network security, ethical hacking, and cloud computing, with the goal of filling the nation's estimated 597,000 cybersecurity job openings. Grant recipients would be required to spend at least 85 percent of funds on program development, employer partnerships, and apprentice support services like career counseling and help with transportation or childcare costs, with up to 15 percent available for recruitment and outreach to employers and underrepresented groups. The bill does not specify a dollar amount and instead authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" to fund the program.
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