Sponsors (2)
The bill provides targeted federal grants to expand cybersecurity CTE and employer-aligned pathways—strengthening workforce pipelines and critical-infrastructure security—but the modest funding, administrative burdens, sustainability risks, sector-specific focus, and privacy concerns limit reach and may create trade-offs for equity and program longevity.
Students and current tech workers gain cybersecurity skills through expanded CTE programs, improving job readiness for critical-infrastructure cybersecurity roles.
Operators of critical infrastructure (energy, transportation, healthcare) and the public benefit from a more cyber-trained workforce that can reduce cyber risks to essential services.
Students and job-seekers gain funded pathways, employer partnerships, and work-based learning that increase employment prospects and connections to unsubsidized jobs.
The authorized $10 million federal investment is modest, likely limiting the number and scope of grants so many regions or institutions may not receive support.
Implementing new postsecondary CTE curricula and training programs creates costs that may require federal/state funding or reallocation of education resources, burdening taxpayers and state budgets.
Ongoing program sustainability depends on employer partnerships and post-grant funding; programs may struggle to continue after the grant period ends.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DOE pilot grant program to fund postsecondary CTE programs that integrate cybersecurity training for critical infrastructure workforces, with grants capped at $500,000 annually.
Introduced March 9, 2026 by Glenn Thompson · Last progress March 9, 2026
Creates a Department of Education competitive pilot grant program to fund postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs that integrate cybersecurity training for operators and workers in critical infrastructure sectors. Grants support development of new CTE programs or integration of cybersecurity into existing programs, require use of the NIST NICE framework, mandate regional grant distribution, and include reporting and workforce‑alignment requirements; grants are capped at $500,000 per award per fiscal year and the Secretary must set up the program within one year of enactment.