Rep. Susie Lee and Sen. Jacky Rosen appeared together in Henderson Friday to promote their identical bills in the House and Senate to create cybersecurity apprentice programs.

Cybersecurity experts warn there is already a shortage of people who can fill jobs for which demand is only expected to grow.

Under the legislation, which the Nevada Democrats introduced in May, the Department of Labor would make grants on a competitive basis to businesses, educational institutions, state or local workforce development agencies, or community organizations and non-profits.

The grants could be used to develop cybersecurity instruction programs, provide support for apprenticeships, recruit potential apprentices, and market apprenticeship to employers.

“In 2016 alone, Nevadans filed over 3,700 internet crime complaints to the FBI, and the figure ballooned to over 4,600 the following year,” Lee said.

“The security of our nation’s cyber infrastructure is put at serious risk without a robust, skilled cyber-workforce,” Rosen said.

Both Nevada Democrats, in a joint statement issued after meeting with community members on the subject Friday, also touted the legislation as a means to help diversity the Nevada economy.

The legislation does not specify how much money would be appropriated for the program, and has yet to be scheduled for committee hearings in either the House or the Senate.