Sponsors (3)
The bill expands and funds cybersecurity apprenticeships—improving job-ready training, employer pipelines, and access for underserved groups—but increases federal spending and administrative requirements while risking reduced flexibility and disadvantaging smaller providers.
Tech workers, trainees, and students gain paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction in cybersecurity, improving readiness for high‑demand jobs.
Employers — especially small employers — get a stronger pipeline of qualified cybersecurity workers and help paying for offsite training and course materials, lowering hiring and training costs.
Participants can earn industry‑recognized, stackable credentials that improve portability of skills and career advancement opportunities.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending and new budgetary commitments to fund grants for cybersecurity apprenticeships.
Expanding eligible intermediaries and requiring curriculum alignment increases administrative complexity and reporting burdens for the Department of Labor and state/local administrators.
Smaller or nontraditional training providers and very small employers may be disadvantaged because they may lack the capacity to meet certification or employer‑partnership requirements.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes DOL grants to workforce intermediaries to create and expand registered cybersecurity apprenticeships with required certifications and spending rules.
Official title: To establish a grant program within the Department of Labor to support the creation, implementation, and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.
Introduced March 26, 2026 by Susie Lee · Last progress March 26, 2026
Creates a competitive grant program run by the Department of Labor that funds workforce intermediaries to establish, expand, and operate registered cybersecurity apprenticeship programs combining classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and industry certifications. Grants must direct at least 85% of funds to direct apprenticeship activities (registration, curricula, employer support, apprentice services) and may use up to 15% for outreach and recruitment; appropriations are authorized as needed but no dollar amounts or timelines are specified.