Lawmakers in the House and Senate introduced legislation on Wednesday to improve the cybersecurity workforce by directing the Department of Labor to award grants that help create and expand cyber apprenticeship programs.

The Cyber Ready Workforce Act has bipartisan support, with Sens. Jacky Rosen Jacklyn (Jacky) Sheryl RosenHillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections Google, Apple, eBay to meet virtually with lawmakers for tech group's annual fly-in Senate Democrats demand answers on migrant child trafficking during pandemic MORE (D-Nev.) and Kevin Cramer Kevin John CramerMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day On Paycheck Protection Program, streamlined forgiveness is key McConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package MORE (R-N.D.) introducing the bill in the Senate, and Reps. Susie Lee Suzanne (Susie) Kelley LeeMORE (D-Nev.), Elise Stefanik Elise Marie StefanikRepublicans cast Trump as best choice for women The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Pence rips Biden as radical risk GOP women offer personal testimonials on Trump MORE (R-N.Y.) and Abigail Spanberger Abigail Davis SpanbergerTrump asked Chamber of Commerce to reconsider Democratic endorsements: report Virginians wait up to four hours to cast early voting ballots The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (D-Va.) sponsoring the legislation in the House.

The bill would establish a program within the Labor Department, allowing the Secretary of Labor to award financial grants to “workforce intermediaries” such as colleges and nonprofit organizations that support cyber apprenticeships.

ADVERTISEMENT

This funding could also be used for child care, transportation costs and career counseling involved with participating in the apprenticeship programs.

Rosen’s office said that trade groups such as CompTIA and ISACA have already endorsed the legislation.

“We must take action to address the shortage in our cybersecurity workforce in order to fill the gaps in our cyber-defense,” Rosen said in a statement.

“I’m proud to help usher in the next generation of employees in the field of cybersecurity. I’ll continue to work on finding forward-thinking solutions that provide our businesses, communities, and government with the skilled workforce they need to strengthen our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure and protect Americans’ data from bad actors,” she added.

Cramer noted that “cyber attacks are an emerging threat to our nation, and we need a well-trained workforce able to combat them,” while Lee said that “our ability to compete in the world economy depends on producing an educated cyber-ready workforce.”

Meanwhile, Spanberger said she is “proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation, because addressing our country’s workforce demands isn’t a partisan issue—it’s an issue of national security, economic strength, and long-term financial security for working families.”