Cyber Ready Workforce Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8110
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-12T08:06:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Cyber Ready Workforce Act (H.R. 8110) aims to create a grant program in the Department of Labor to fund the development, launch, and growth of registered apprenticeship programs focused on cybersecurity. These programs combine classroom learning, on-the-job training, and industry certifications to build a skilled workforce.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Registered apprenticeship program: A structured training program officially approved under the National Apprenticeship Act (a 1937 law governing apprenticeships).
- Workforce intermediary: Organizations or partnerships (e.g., businesses, community groups, schools, labor unions, nonprofits) that help set up and run these apprenticeships.
- Grant Program (Section 3): The Secretary of Labor awards competitive grants to workforce intermediaries for cybersecurity apprenticeships, which must include:
- Technical classes, hands-on work experience, and certifications like CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, or CISSP.
- "Stackable and portable credentials" (credentials that build on each other and transfer between jobs/employers).
- Training for roles like cybersecurity technicians, network defenders, or security analysts.
- Use of Funds (Section 4):
- Required (at least 85%): Help register programs, develop curricula based on the NICE Cybersecurity Framework (a government guide for cybersecurity skills), connect employers with trainers, and provide apprentice support (e.g., counseling, mentorship, help with travel/housing/child care).
- Allowable (up to 15%): Marketing to employers/schools, recruiting diverse groups (e.g., women, minorities, youth, veterans), and sharing resources to avoid overlap.
- Funding (Section 5): Authorizes Congress to appropriate whatever funds are needed (no specific amount set).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new, targeted grant program specifically for cybersecurity apprenticeships, building on the existing National Apprenticeship Act framework without altering it.
- Expands federal support for apprenticeships into high-demand tech fields, emphasizing industry certifications and the NICE Framework for standardized skills.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Department of Labor gains responsibility for administering grants, processing registrations, and overseeing program quality—increasing workload but leveraging existing apprenticeship infrastructure.
- Citizens: Creates more accessible training pathways into cybersecurity jobs, especially for underrepresented groups, youth, and veterans; could lead to higher employment and wages in a growing field.
- Employers/Businesses: Easier access to pre-trained workers, potentially reducing hiring costs and addressing cybersecurity talent shortages.
- No direct impact on international relations mentioned.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Workforce intermediaries (primary grant recipients: businesses, nonprofits, schools, labor groups).
- Apprentices (targeted recruitment of youth, women, minorities, veterans).
- Employers (partners for training and hiring).
- Department of Labor (grant administrator).
- Educational institutions (providers of offsite training).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on Congress's spending power; grants are competitive and performance-based, with strict fund-use rules to ensure accountability. References existing laws (e.g., Workforce Innovation Act) for consistency.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federal authority to promote workforce development and general welfare; no novel challenges.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (Democrat and Republican sponsors); addresses national cybersecurity workforce gaps without mandating private sector actions. Open-ended funding authorization allows flexibility but depends on future budgets.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Cyber Ready Workforce Act — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (6 pages)