Lawmakers renew push for Labor Department-backed cyber apprenticeship grants | CyberScoop<\/title> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/labor-department-cybersecurity-workforce-apprenticeships\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lawmakers renew push for Labor Department-backed cyber apprenticeship grants\"> <meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The bipartisan, bicameral Cyber Ready Workforce Act aims to cut into the country\u2019s deficit of cybersecurity professionals.\"> <meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/labor-department-cybersecurity-workforce-apprenticeships\/\"> <meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CyberScoop\"> <meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/cyberscoop\/\"> <meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-02T16:14:04+00:00\"> <meta property=\"article:modified_time\" 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id=\"stickybar\" class=\"stickybar stickybar--newsletter js-stickybar\" readability=\"0.82\"> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\"> <svg class=\"icon icon--close\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"m.822.518-.805.805L9.695 11 .017 20.678l.805.805 9.678-9.678 9.677 9.678.806-.805L11.305 11l9.678-9.677-.806-.805-9.677 9.677L.822.518Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \" readability=\"26.074285714286\">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\" readability=\"35.301020408163\">\n<p> The bipartisan, bicameral Cyber Ready Workforce Act aims to cut into the country\u2019s deficit of cybersecurity professionals. <\/p>\n<p>  <br \/>\n<audio id=\"audio-player\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-tts-cdn.api.scpnewsgrp.com\/cyberscoop\/88470\/english.openai.mp3\"><\/audio> <\/p>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p>0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants-2.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants-2.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants-2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants-2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants-2.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants-2.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants-2.jpg?resize=505,337 505w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants-2.jpg?resize=1012,675 1012w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1012px) 100vw, 1012px\"><figcaption> The Frances Perkins Department of Labor Building is seen on Aug. 4, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"43.519253208868\"><body readability=\"88.524692970996\"><\/p>\n<p>With the country\u2019s cybersecurity workforce still experiencing major shortages, a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers is pushing to enlist the Department of Labor to help tackle the problem.<\/p>\n<p>The Cyber Ready Workforce Act would direct the DOL to establish a grant program that supports the \u201ccreation, implementation, and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity,\u201d per a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rosen.senate.gov\/2026\/03\/31\/senators-rosen-blackburn-rep-lee-fitzpatrick-introduce-bipartisan-and-bicameral-legislation-to-support-expand-cybersecurity-apprenticeships\/\">press release<\/a> announcing the bill\u2019s introduction this week.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs cyberattacks become more common and complex, we need to ensure we have the workers with the training and skills necessary to protect our cyber infrastructure and Americans\u2019 personal data,\u201d Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., one of the bill\u2019s co-sponsors, said in a statement. \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Another co-sponsor, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, said in a statement that the legislation would provide \u201ctargeted support\u201d for businesses, colleges and nonprofits that need more cyber protections. The country\u2019s \u201csevere talent shortage\u201d in cyber \u201cposes a serious threat to our national security and economic growth,\u201d the Tennessee Republican said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The introduction of the legislation Tuesday isn\u2019t Rosen and Blackburn\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/app\/details\/BILLS-117s3570is\">first bite<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cybersecurity-apprenticeships-senate-bill-labor-rosen-blackburn\/\">the apple<\/a>, but previous efforts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/118th-congress\/senate-bill\/4813\/all-actions?s=5&r=24\">stalled out in the Senate<\/a>. This time around, the senators added a pair of House co-sponsors \u2014 Reps. Susie Lee, D-Nev., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa. \u2014 to the pitch. It also comes at a time when the Trump administration has directed the DOL to <a href=\"https:\/\/fedscoop.com\/labor-department-trump-ai-action-plan-to-do-list\/\">do more with apprenticeships and technology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Lee said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/susielee.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/lee-introduces-bipartisan-bill-expand-cybersecurity-apprenticeships\">statement<\/a> that in Nevada alone, there\u2019s a shortage of 4,000 cybersecurity professionals. Some estimates put the nationwide cyber workforce deficit at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nist.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2025\/11\/24\/WorkforceDemand_July2025.pdf\">nearly half a million<\/a> jobs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhether you know it or not, cybersecurity \u2026 impacts all of us, from our small businesses, to utility grids, to our national security. But we don\u2019t have enough talent to fill these jobs.\u201d Lee said. \u201cThis bill will help ensure that we don\u2019t fall behind when it comes to cybersecurity, while putting Nevada at the forefront of the high-demand, high-impact, and high-paying jobs of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/susielee.house.gov\/sites\/evo-subsites\/susielee.house.gov\/files\/evo-media-document\/cyber-ready-workforce-act-one-pager-119th-congress.pdf\">fact sheet posted to Lee\u2019s congressional website<\/a>, the bill calls on the Labor Department to award grants to \u201cworkforce intermediaries\u201d that will grow the number of registered cybersecurity apprenticeship programs. <\/p>\n<p>Grant funding should be used for developing curricula and providing technical instruction. It could also go toward marketing and recruitment programs, support services such as career counseling and mentorship, and assistance for things like transportation, housing and childcare costs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The legislation also encourages grant recipients to connect and collaborate with workforce intermediaries in business, nonprofit and academic settings. Coordinating on resources in cyber apprenticeship programs should ensure federal investments aren\u2019t going toward duplicative efforts, per the fact sheet. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe continued shortage of cybersecurity professionals has exposed our nation to severe vulnerabilities, threatening our economy and national security,\u201d Fitzpatrick said in a statement. \u201cNow, more than ever, a strong cybersecurity workforce is necessary to protect our interests at home and abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Addressing the cybersecurity workforce shortage has been a priority for many lawmakers over the past several years, with legislation seeking to establish cyber grants at t<a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cybersecurity-workforce-community-colleges-minority-serving-institutions\/\">wo-year colleges and minority-serving institutions<\/a>, create new <a href=\"https:\/\/fedscoop.com\/federal-cybersecurity-workforce-expansion-act\/\">federal cyber training programs<\/a>, give money to <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/house-bill-would-give-cisa-millions-to-diversify-cyber-workforce\/\">CISA for minority recruitment efforts<\/a> and more.<\/p>\n<p><\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\" readability=\"3.1072210065646\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"13\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants-1.jpg?w=640&ssl=1\" alt=\"Matt Bracken\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Matt Bracken<\/h4>\n<p> Matt Bracken is editor in chief of FedScoop and the former managing editor of CyberScoop. Before joining Scoop News Group in 2023, Matt worked in various editing, reporting and digital roles at Morning Consult, The Baltimore Sun and the Arizona Daily Star. You can reach him at matt.bracken@scoopnewsgroup.com. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__tags-container\">\n<h4 class=\"single-article__tags-title\">In This Story<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p> <\/html><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"popular-stories popular-stories--single-post\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__container\">\n<h2 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{"id":8490,"date":"2026-04-02T11:14:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T16:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=88470"},"modified":"2026-04-02T11:14:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T16:14:04","slug":"lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2026\/04\/02\/lawmakers-renew-push-for-labor-department-backed-cyber-apprenticeship-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmakers renew push for Labor Department-backed cyber apprenticeship grants"},"content":{"rendered":"