,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bbgd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #bd1 #bjba ,ms4 ,hassan 7for herself and ,mr4 ,cornyn7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,director of the ,cybersecurity and ,infrastructure ,security ,agency to establish an apprenticeship program and to establish a pilot program on cybersecurity training for veterans and members of the ,armed ,forces transitioning to civilian life1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,federal ,cybersecurity ,workforce ,expansion ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the need for qualified cybersecurity personnel is greater than ever1 as demonstrated by the recent ,solar,winds breach and the growing spate of ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure entities and ,state and local governments2 7#b7 the ,federal ,government is facing a shortage of qualified cybersecurity personnel1 as noted in a ,march #bjai ,government ,accountability ,office report on critical staffing needs in the ,federal cybersecurity workforce2 7#c7 there is a national shortage of qualified cybersecurity personnel1 and according to ,cyber,seek1 a project supported by the ,national ,initiative for ,cybersecurity ,education within the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 there are approximately #ejj1jjj cybersecurity job openings around the ,united ,states2 7#d7 in ,may #bjba1 the ,department of ,homeland ,security announced that the ,department was initiating a #fj day sprint to hire #bjj cybersecurity personnel across the ,department1 with #ajj of those hires for the ,cybersecurity and ,infrastructure ,security ,agency1 to address a cybersecurity workforce shortage2 and 7#e7 the ,federal ,government needs to-- 7,a7 expand the cybersecurity workforce pipeline of the ,federal ,government to sustainably close a ,federal cybersecurity workforce shortage2 and 7,b7 work cooperatively with the private sector and ,state and local government authorities to expand opportunities for new cybersecurity professionals4 #c4 ,cybersecurity and infrastructure security apprenticeship program 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,a of title ,,xxii of the ,homeland ,security ,act 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #fea et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bbah4 ,apprenticeship program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,area career and technical education school ,the term area career and technical education school has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb74 7#b7 ,community college ,the term community college means a public institution of higher education at which the highest degree that is predominantly awarded to students is an associate's degree1 including-- 7,a7 a #b-year ,tribal ,college or ,university1 as defined in section #caf of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c72 and 7,b7 a public #b-year ,state institution of higher education4 7#c7 ,cybersecurity work roles ,the term cybersecurity work roles means the work roles outlined in the ,national ,initiative for ,cybersecurity ,education ,cybersecurity ,workforce ,framework 7,,nist ,special ,publication #hjj-aha71 or any successor framework4 7#d7 ,education and training provider ,the term education and training provider means-- 7,a7 an area career and technical education school2 7,b7 an early college high school2 7,c7 an educational service agency2 7,d7 a high school2 7,e7 a local educational agency or ,state educational agency2 7,f7 a ,tribal educational agency1 ,tribally controlled college or university1 or ,tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institution2 7,g7 a postsecondary educational institution2 7,h7 a minority-serving institution2 7,i7 a provider of adult education and literacy activities under the ,adult ,education and ,family ,literacy ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbga et seq472 7,j7 a local agency administering plans under title ,i of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gbj et seq471 other than section #aab or part ,c of that title 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gcb1 #gda72 7,k7 a related instruction provider1 including a qualified intermediary acting as a related instruction provider as approved by a registration agency2 7,l7 a ,job ,corps center1 as defined in section #adb of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caib72 or 7,m7 a consortium of entities described in any of subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,l74 7#e7 ,eligible entity 7,a7 ,in general ,the term eligible entity means-- 7i7 a program sponsor2 7ii7 a ,state workforce development board or ,state workforce agency1 or a local workforce development board or local workforce development agency2 7iii7 an education and training provider2 7iv7 if the applicant is in a ,state with a ,state apprenticeship agency1 such ,state apprenticeship agency2 7v7 an ,indian ,tribe or ,tribal organization2 7vi7 an industry or sector partnership1 a group of employers1 a trade association1 or a professional association that sponsors or participates in a program under the national apprenticeship system2 7vii7 a ,governor of a ,state2 7viii7 a labor organization or joint labor-management organization2 or 7ix7 a qualified intermediary4 7,b7 ,sponsor requirement ,not fewer than #a entity described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall be the sponsor of a program under the national apprenticeship system4 7#f7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#g7 ,local educational agency2 secondary school ,the terms local educational agency and secondary school have the meanings given those terms in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#h7 ,local workforce development board ,the term local workforce development board has the meaning given the term local board in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7#i7 ,nonprofit organization ,the term nonprofit organization means an organization that is described in section #eja7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from taxation under section #eja7;a7 of such ,code4 7#aj7 ,provider of adult education ,the term provider of adult education has the meaning given the term eligible provider in section #bjc of the ,adult ,education and ,family ,literacy ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbgb74 7#aa7 ,related instruction ,the term related instruction means an organized and systematic form of instruction designed to provide an individual in an apprenticeship program with the knowledge of the technical subjects related to the intended occupation of the individual after completion of the program4 7#ab7 ,sponsor ,the term sponsor means any person1 association1 committee1 or organization operating an apprenticeship program and in whose name the program is1 or is to be1 registered or approved4 7#ac7 ,state apprenticeship agency ,the term ,state apprenticeship agency has the meaning given the term in section #bi4b of title #bi1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling4 7#ad7 ,state workforce development board ,the term ,state workforce development board has the meaning given the term ,state board in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7#ae7 ,,wioa terms ,the terms career planning1 community-based organization1 economic development agency1 industry or sector partnership1 on-the-job training1 recognized postsecondary credential1 and workplace learning advisor have the meanings given those terms in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7#af7 ,qualified intermediary 7,a7 ,in general ,the term qualified intermediary means an entity that demonstrates expertise in building1 connecting1 sustaining1 and measuring the performance of partnerships described in subparagraph 7,b7 and serves program participants and employers by-- 7i7 connecting employers to programs under the national apprenticeship system2 7ii7 assisting in the design and implementation of such programs1 including curriculum development and delivery for related instruction2 7iii7 supporting entities1 sponsors1 or program administrators in meeting the registration and reporting requirements of this ,act2 7iv7 providing professional development activities such as training to mentors2 7v7 supporting the recruitment1 retention1 and completion of potential program participants1 including nontraditional apprenticeship populations and individuals with barriers to employment2 7vi7 developing and providing personalized program participant supports1 including by partnering with organizations to provide access to or referrals for supportive services and financial advising2 7vii7 providing services1 resources1 and supports for development1 delivery1 expansion1 or improvement of programs under the national apprenticeship system2 or 7viii7 serving as a program sponsor4 7,b7 ,partnerships ,the term partnerships described in subparagraph 7,b7 means partnerships among entities involved in1 or applying to participate in1 programs under the national apprenticeship system1 including-- 7i7 industry or sector partnerships2 7ii7 partnerships among employers1 joint labor-management organizations1 labor organizations1 community-based organizations1 industry associations1 ,state or local workforce development boards1 education and training providers1 social service organizations1 economic development organizations1 ,indian ,tribes or ,tribal organizations1 one-stop operators1 one-stop partners1 or veterans service organizations in the ,state workforce development system2 or 7iii7 partnerships among #a or more of the entities described in clauses 7i7 and 7ii74 7b7 ,establishment of apprenticeship programs ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,director may establish #a or more apprenticeship programs as described in subsection 7c74 7c7 ,apprenticeship programs described ,an apprenticeship program described in this subsection is an apprenticeship program that-- 7#a7 leads directly to employment in-- 7,a7 a cybersecurity work role with the ,agency2 or 7,b7 a position with a company or other entity provided that the position is-- 7i7 certified by the ,director as contributing to the national cybersecurity of the ,united ,states2 and 7ii7 funded at least in majority part through a contract1 grant1 or cooperative agreement with the ,agency2 7#b7 is focused on competencies and related learning necessary1 as determined by the ,director1 to meet the immediate and ongoing needs of cybersecurity work roles at the ,agency2 and 7#c7 is registered with and approved by the ,office of ,apprenticeship of the ,department of ,labor or a ,state apprenticeship agency pursuant to the ,act of ,august #af1 #aicg 7commonly known as the ,national ,apprenticeship ,act2 #bi ,u4,s4,c4 #ej et seq474 7d7 ,coordination ,in the development of an apprenticeships program under this section1 the ,director shall consult with the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 the ,secretary of ,defense1 the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 and the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management to leverage existing resources1 research1 communities of practice1 and frameworks for developing cybersecurity apprenticeship programs4 7e7 ,optional use of grants or cooperative agreements ,an apprenticeship program under this section may include entering into a contract or cooperative agreement with or making a grant to an eligible entity if determined appropriate by the ,director based on the eligible entity-- 7#a7 demonstrating experience in implementing and providing career planning and career pathways toward apprenticeship programs2 7#b7 having knowledge of cybersecurity workforce development2 7#c7 being eligible to enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with or receive grant funds from the ,agency as described in this section2 7#d7 providing students who complete the apprenticeship program with a recognized postsecondary credential2 7#e7 using related instruction that is specifically aligned with the needs of the ,agency and utilizes workplace learning advisors and on-the-job training to the greatest extent possible2 and 7#f7 demonstrating successful outcomes connecting graduates of the apprenticeship program to careers relevant to the program4 7f7 ,applications ,if the ,director enters into an arrangement as described in subsection 7e71 an eligible entity seeking a contract1 cooperative agreement1 or grant under the program shall submit to the ,director an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,director may require4 7g7 ,priority ,in selecting eligible entities to receive a contract1 grant1 or cooperative agreement under this section1 the ,director may prioritize an eligible entity that-- 7#a7 is a member of an industry or sector partnership2 7#b7 provides related instruction for an apprenticeship program through-- 7,a7 a local educational agency1 a secondary school1 a provider of adult education1 an area career and technical education school1 or an institution of higher education2 or 7,b7 an apprenticeship program that was registered with the ,department of ,labor or a ,state apprenticeship agency before the date on which the eligible entity applies for the grant under subsection 7g72 7#c7 works with the ,secretary of ,defense1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 or veterans organizations to transition members of the ,armed ,forces and veterans to apprenticeship programs in a relevant sector2 or 7#d7 plans to use the grant to carry out the apprenticeship program with an entity that receives ,state funding or is operated by a ,state agency4 7h7 ,technical assistance ,the ,director shall provide technical assistance to eligible entities to leverage the existing job training and education programs of the ,agency and other relevant programs at appropriate ,federal agencies4 7i7 ,excepted service ,participants in the program may be entered into cybersecurity-specific excepted service positions as determined appropriate by the ,director and authorized by section #bbjh4 7j7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not less than once every #b years after the establishment of an apprenticeship program under this section1 the ,director shall submit to ,congress a report on the program1 including-- 7,a7 a description of-- 7i7 any activity carried out by the ,agency under this section2 7ii7 any entity that enters into a contract or agreement with or receives a grant from the ,agency under subsection 7e72 7iii7 any activity carried out using a contract1 agreement1 or grant under this section as described in subsection 7e72 and 7iv7 best practices used to leverage the investment of the ,federal ,government under this section2 and 7,b7 an assessment of the results achieved by the program1 including the rate of continued employment at the ,agency for participants after completing an apprenticeship program carried out under this section4 7k7 ,performance reports ,not later than #a year after the establishment of an apprenticeship program under this section1 and annually thereafter1 the ,director shall submit to ,congress and the ,secretary of ,labor a report on the effectiveness of the program based on the accountability measures described in clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 of section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cada7;b77#b77;,a774 7l7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,agency such sums as necessary to carry out this section4 4 7b7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,the table of contents in section #a7;b7 of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7,public ,law #ajg-bif2 #aaf ,stat4 #bace7 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #bbag the following3 ,sec4 #bbah4 ,apprenticeship program4 4 #d4 ,pilot program on cyber training for veterans and members of the armed forces transitioning to civilian life 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible individual ,the term eligible individual means an individual who is-- 7,a7 a member of the ,armed ,forces transitioning from service in the ,armed ,forces to civilian life2 or 7,b7 a veteran4 7#b7 ,portable credential ,the term portable credential-- 7,a7 means a documented award by a responsible and authorized entity that has determined that an individual has achieved specific learning outcomes relative to a given standard2 and 7,b7 includes a degree1 diploma1 license1 certificate1 badge1 and professional or industry certification that-- 7i7 has value locally and nationally in labor markets1 educational systems1 or other contexts2 7ii7 is defined publicly in such a way that allows educators1 employers1 and other individuals and entities to understand and verify the full set of skills represented by the credential2 and 7iii7 enables a holder of the credential to move vertically and horizontally within and across training and education systems for the attainment of other credentials4 7#c7 ,veteran ,the term veteran has the meaning given the term in section #aja of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#d7 ,work-based learning ,the term work-based learning has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb74 7b7 ,establishment ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish a pilot program under which the ,secretary shall provide cyber-specific training for eligible individuals4 7c7 ,elements ,the pilot program established under subsection 7b7 shall incorporate-- 7#a7 virtual platforms for coursework and training2 7#b7 hands-on skills labs and assessments2 7#c7 ,federal work-based learning opportunities and programs2 and 7#d7 the provision of portable credentials to eligible individuals who graduate from the pilot program4 7d7 ,alignment with ,,nice workforce framework for cybersecurity ,the pilot program established under subsection 7b7 shall align with the taxonomy1 including work roles and associated tasks1 knowledge1 and skills1 from the ,national ,initiative for ,cybersecurity ,education ,workforce ,framework for ,cybersecurity 7,,nist ,special ,publication #hjj-aha71 or any successor framework4 7e7 ,coordination 7#a7 ,training1 platforms1 and frameworks ,in developing the pilot program under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall coordinate with the ,secretary of ,defense1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 and the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management to evaluate and1 where possible1 leverage existing training1 platforms1 and frameworks of the ,federal ,government for providing cyber education and training to prevent duplication of efforts4 7#b7 ,federal work-based learning opportunities and programs ,in developing the ,federal work-based learning opportunities and programs required under subsection 7c77#c71 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall coordinate with the ,secretary of ,defense1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 and the heads of other appropriate ,federal agencies to identify or create interagency opportunities that will enable the pilot program established under subsection 7b7 to-- 7,a7 bridge the gap between knowledge acquisition and skills application for participants2 and 7,b7 give participants the experience necessary to pursue ,federal employment4 7f7 ,resources 7#a7 ,in general ,in any case in which the pilot program established under subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 uses a program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs or platforms and frameworks described in subsection 7e77#a71 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that those programs1 platforms1 and frameworks are expanded and resourced to accommodate usage by eligible individuals participating in the pilot program2 or 7,b7 does not use a program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs or platforms and frameworks described in subsection 7e77#a71 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall take such actions as may be necessary to develop or procure programs1 platforms1 and frameworks necessary to carry out the requirements of subsection 7c7 and accommodate the usage by eligible individuals participating in the pilot program4 7#b7 ,actions ,actions described in paragraph 7#a7 may include providing additional funding1 staff1 or other resources to-- 7,a7 provide administrative support for basic functions of the pilot program2 7,b7 ensure the success and ongoing engagement of eligible individuals participating in the pilot program2 7,c7 connect graduates of the pilot program to job opportunities within the ,federal ,government2 and 7,d7 allocate dedicated positions for term employment to enable ,federal work-based learning opportunities and programs for participants to gain the experience necessary to pursue permanent ,federal employment4 #e4 ,federal workforce assessment extension ,section #cjd7;a7 of the ,federal ,cybersecurity ,workforce ,assessment ,act of #bjae 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 #cja note7 is amended1 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking #bjbb and inserting #bjbe4