Bill Overview
Title: Cyber Ready Workforce Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to workforce intermediaries (entities that facilitate the establishment of registered apprenticeship programs and that may partner with a business or community-based organization, or specified other partners) to support the establishment, implementation, and expansion of such programs in cybersecurity.
Sponsors: Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals entering the cybersecurity workforce
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill is aimed at supporting the establishment and expansion of cybersecurity apprenticeship programs, which means it directly impacts people entering the cybersecurity workforce.
- Cybersecurity is a global issue, affecting industries worldwide.
- Apprenticeship programs typically target individuals who are at the beginning of their careers, including students and recent graduates.
- Cybersecurity programs often seek to develop a diverse workforce, including underrepresented communities in tech.
Reasoning
- The policy is focused on creating and expanding cybersecurity apprenticeship programs which are crucial for strengthening the workforce in a high-demand area.
- Apprenticeship programs are typically designed for young professionals, students, or individuals looking to reskill, making this policy more relevant to this demographic.
- Budget constraints suggest that while the policy can make a significant impact, it may not cover all regions or demographics equally.
- Not all individuals in the field will be directly impacted; those already established in their careers, for example, will see less direct benefit.
Simulated Interviews
Recent Computer Science Graduate (San Francisco, California)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program could provide me with the skills and experience needed to start my career in cybersecurity.
- The financial support for apprenticeships is really important for someone like me just starting out.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cybersecurity Professional (Austin, Texas)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I think the policy is great for new entrants, it won't really affect those of us already established.
- I do think it could help with diversity in our field, which is much needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
IT Support Specialist (New York, New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could be the push I need to move into a more specialized field like cybersecurity.
- I'm hopeful that these programs will offer real hands-on experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School Teacher (Rural Ohio)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could enhance my teaching by providing real-world opportunities for my students.
- Apprenticeships might not reach rural areas effectively unless targeted outreach is part of the policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Cyber Ready Workforce Act is a step in the right direction from a policy standpoint.
- The success of this policy will largely depend on its implementation details.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the opportunities this policy might bring for students like me entering cybersecurity.
- I hope that these apprenticeships are widely available and accessible.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cybersecurity Training Instructor (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy offers an opportunity to grow my institute by participating in the apprenticeship programs.
- It could also help train the kind of professionals that industries need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Community Organizer (Miami, Florida)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Through partnerships, this policy can be a game-changer for underserved communities who often miss out on tech workforce opportunities.
- It will require intentional community outreach, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School Senior (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm eager for more practical learning experiences in cybersecurity, and this policy might provide that.
- I hope my school encourages application to these programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
University Professor (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is beneficial for students and institutions as it aligns academic learning with industry skills.
- Integrating these apprenticeships into our curriculum could be seamless with proper resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 2: $14000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $17000000)
Year 3: $13000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $16000000)
Year 5: $11000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $13000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Key Considerations
- The rapid change in the cybersecurity landscape requires adaptive and up-to-date training for apprentices.
- The involvement of various partners, including businesses and community organizations, may lead to diverse program models that need to be standardized to some degree for effectiveness.
- Success heavily depends on close collaboration with tech firms and educational institutions.