A National Institute of Standards and Technology-led initiative has unveiled a new strategic plan that seeks to guide and facilitate federal programs in support of a cybersecurity-focused national education initiative.

Rodney Petersen, director of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, wrote in an article in the spring 2016 edition of NICE eNewsletter, that the strategic plan details NICE’s objectives, values, mission and vision in compliance with the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014.

Under the plan, NICE will work to develop and promote cybersecurity training, education and workforce development through certifications, performance-based evaluations and implementation of the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework.

NICE will also advance the use of cooperative education initiatives and apprenticeships as part of its initial goal to facilitate skills development and learning.

Another objective in the strategic plan is to support a “diverse learning community” through programs that aim to involve minorities, veterans and women in the cybersecurity workforce.

NICE’s third goal is to provide workforce planning and career development guidance through NIST-sponsored grants such as the NICE Challenge Project and the Cybersecurity Jobs Heat Map.