Cybersecurity apprenticeships would be expanded under a bipartisan, bicameral bill recently cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
“With a growing number of cybersecurity job openings nationwide, America’s severe talent shortage poses a serious threat to our national security and economic growth,” Sen. Blackburn said on April 9.
The Cyber Ready Workforce Act, S. 4263, which U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) sponsored on March 26, would direct the U.S. Department of Labor to establish a grant program to support the creation, implementation, and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.
“The bipartisan Cyber Ready Workforce Act would establish a grant program to expand registered apprenticeships, train Tennessee workers for these high-paying jobs, and build a stronger cybersecurity workforce through targeted support for our businesses, colleges, and nonprofits,” said Sen. Blackburn.
Sen. Rosen pointed out that as cyberattacks become more common and complex, the United States needs to ensure it has the workers with the training and skills necessary to protect the nation’s cyber infrastructure and Americans’ personal data.
“This bipartisan legislation will help fill gaps in our cybersecurity workforce and will open the door to more good-paying, cutting edge jobs for Nevadans, regardless of whether or not they have a college degree,” she said.
S. 4263 is companion legislation to the same-named H.R. 8110, also introduced on March 26 by U.S. Reps. Susie Lee (D-NV) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).