The Cyber Ready Workforce Act establishes a new grant program within the Department of Labor to help create and expand registered apprenticeship programs focused on cybersecurity skills. Organizations eligible to receive grants—called "workforce intermediaries"—include businesses, community organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits that partner together to develop these programs. The apprenticeships will combine classroom instruction, hands-on workplace training, and industry-recognized certifications in areas like network security, system administration, and ethical hacking, preparing workers for jobs as cybersecurity technicians, computer support specialists, and security analysts. Grant recipients must spend at least 85 percent of their funding on core activities like registering programs with the Labor Department, developing curricula with employers, covering training costs, and providing apprentice support services such as mentoring and help with transportation or childcare, while the remaining 15 percent can fund outreach and recruitment efforts. The bill authorizes whatever funding is necessary to carry out the program but does not specify an amount or timeline.
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