[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2274 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 446
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2274
[Report No. 117-131]
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 life, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 24, 2021
Ms. Hassan (for herself and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs
July 18, 2022
Reported by Mr. Peters, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
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 life, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Cybersecurity
Workforce Expansion Act''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDINGS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Congress finds that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the need for qualified cybersecurity personnel
is greater than ever, as demonstrated by the recent SolarWinds
breach and the growing spate of ransomware attacks on critical
infrastructure entities and State and local
governments;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the Federal Government is facing a shortage of
qualified cybersecurity personnel, as noted in a March 2019
Government Accountability Office report on critical staffing
needs in the Federal cybersecurity workforce;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) there is a national shortage of qualified
cybersecurity personnel, and according to CyberSeek, a project
supported by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity
Education within the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, there are approximately 500,000 cybersecurity job
openings around the United States;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in May 2021, the Department of Homeland
Security announced that the Department was initiating a 60 day
sprint to hire 200 cybersecurity personnel across the
Department, with 100 of those hires for the Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency, to address a cybersecurity
workforce shortage; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) the Federal Government needs to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) expand the cybersecurity workforce
pipeline of the Federal Government to sustainably close
a Federal cybersecurity workforce shortage;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) work cooperatively with the private
sector and State and local government authorities to
expand opportunities for new cybersecurity
professionals.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title XXII of the Homeland
Security Act (6 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 2218. APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Area career and technical education
school.--The term `area career and technical education school'
has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) 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 degree, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) a 2-year Tribal College or
University, as defined in section 316 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) a public 2-year State institution of
higher education.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Cybersecurity work roles.--The term
`cybersecurity work roles' means the work roles outlined in the
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Cybersecurity
Workforce Framework (NIST Special Publication 800-181), or any
successor framework.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Education and training provider.--The term
`education and training provider' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) an area career and technical
education school;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) an early college high
school;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) an educational service
agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) a high school;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) a local educational agency or State
educational agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) a Tribal educational agency,
Tribally controlled college or university, or Tribally
controlled postsecondary career and technical
institution;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(G) a postsecondary educational
institution;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(H) a minority-serving
institution;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) a provider of adult education and
literacy activities under the Adult Education and
Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3271 et seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(J) a local agency administering plans
under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29
U.S.C. 720 et seq.), other than section 112 or part C
of that title (29 U.S.C. 732, 741);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(K) a related instruction provider,
including a qualified intermediary acting as a related
instruction provider as approved by a registration
agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(L) a Job Corps center, as defined in
section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3192); or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(M) a consortium of entities described
in any of subparagraphs (A) through (L).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Eligible entity.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--The term `eligible
entity' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) a program sponsor;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) a State workforce
development board or State workforce agency, or
a local workforce development board or local
workforce development agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) an education and training
provider;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) if the applicant is in a
State with a State apprenticeship agency, such
State apprenticeship agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) an Indian Tribe or Tribal
organization;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) an industry or sector
partnership, a group of employers, a trade
association, or a professional association that
sponsors or participates in a program under the
national apprenticeship system;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) a Governor of a
State;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) a labor organization or
joint labor-management organization;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ix) a qualified
intermediary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Sponsor requirement.--Not fewer than
1 entity described in subparagraph (A) shall be the
sponsor of a program under the national apprenticeship
system.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) Local educational agency; secondary
school.--The terms `local educational agency' and `secondary
school' have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) Local workforce development board.--The term
`local workforce development board' has the meaning given the
term `local board' in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(9) Nonprofit organization.--The term `nonprofit
organization' means an organization that is described in
section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt
from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(10) Provider of adult education.--The term
`provider of adult education' has the meaning given the term
`eligible provider' in section 203 of the Adult Education and
Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3272).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(11) 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 program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(12) Sponsor.--The term `sponsor' means any
person, association, committee, or organization operating an
apprenticeship program and in whose name the program is, or is
to be, registered or approved.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(13) State apprenticeship agency.--The term
`State apprenticeship agency' has the meaning given the term in
section 29.2 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
corresponding similar regulation or ruling.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(14) State workforce development board.--The
term `State workforce development board' has the meaning given
the term `State board' in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(15) WIOA terms.--The terms `career planning',
`community-based organization', `economic development agency',
`industry or sector partnership', `on-the-job training',
`recognized postsecondary credential', and `workplace learning
advisor' have the meanings given those terms in section 3 of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3102).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(16) Qualified intermediary.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified
intermediary' means an entity that demonstrates
expertise in building, connecting, sustaining, and
measuring the performance of partnerships described in
subparagraph (B) and serves program participants and
employers by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) connecting employers to
programs under the national apprenticeship
system;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) assisting in the design and
implementation of such programs, including
curriculum development and delivery for related
instruction;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) supporting entities,
sponsors, or program administrators in meeting
the registration and reporting requirements of
this Act;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) providing professional
development activities such as training to
mentors;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) supporting the recruitment,
retention, and completion of potential program
participants, including nontraditional
apprenticeship populations and individuals with
barriers to employment;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) developing and providing
personalized program participant supports,
including by partnering with organizations to
provide access to or referrals for supportive
services and financial advising;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) providing services,
resources, and supports for development,
delivery, expansion, or improvement of programs
under the national apprenticeship system;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) serving as a program
sponsor.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Partnerships.--The term
`partnerships described in subparagraph (B)' means
partnerships among entities involved in, or applying to
participate in, programs under the national
apprenticeship system, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) industry or sector
partnerships;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) partnerships among
employers, joint labor-management
organizations, labor organizations, community-
based organizations, industry associations,
State or local workforce development boards,
education and training providers, social
service organizations, economic development
organizations, Indian Tribes or Tribal
organizations, one-stop operators, one-stop
partners, or veterans service organizations in
the State workforce development system;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) partnerships among 1 or
more of the entities described in clauses (i)
and (ii).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Establishment of Apprenticeship Programs.--Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Director
may establish 1 or more apprenticeship programs as described in
subsection (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Apprenticeship Programs Described.--An
apprenticeship program described in this subsection is an
apprenticeship program that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) leads directly to employment in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) a cybersecurity work role with the
Agency; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) a position with a company or other
entity provided that the position is--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) certified by the Director as
contributing to the national cybersecurity of
the United States; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) funded at least in majority
part through a contract, grant, or cooperative
agreement with the Agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) is focused on competencies and related
learning necessary, as determined by the Director, to meet the
immediate and ongoing needs of cybersecurity work roles at the
Agency; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) 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 16, 1937
(commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship Act'; 29 U.S.C.
50 et seq.).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Coordination.--In the development of an
apprenticeships program under this section, the Director shall consult
with the Secretary of Labor, the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the
National Science Foundation, and the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management to leverage existing resources, research,
communities of practice, and frameworks for developing cybersecurity
apprenticeship programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) 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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) demonstrating experience in implementing and
providing career planning and career pathways toward
apprenticeship programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) having knowledge of cybersecurity workforce
development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) being eligible to enter into a contract or
cooperative agreement with or receive grant funds from the
Agency as described in this section;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) providing students who complete the
apprenticeship program with a recognized postsecondary
credential;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) 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 possible; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) demonstrating successful outcomes connecting
graduates of the apprenticeship program to careers relevant to
the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Applications.--If the Director enters into an
arrangement as described in subsection (e), an eligible entity seeking
a contract, cooperative agreement, or grant under the program shall
submit to the Director an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Director may require.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Priority.--In selecting eligible entities to receive
a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement under this section, the
Director may prioritize an eligible entity that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) is a member of an industry or sector
partnership;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) provides related instruction for an
apprenticeship program through--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) a local educational agency, a
secondary school, a provider of adult education, an
area career and technical education school, or an
institution of higher education; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) 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
(g);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) works with the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or veterans organizations to
transition members of the Armed Forces and veterans to
apprenticeship programs in a relevant sector; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) plans to use the grant to carry out the
apprenticeship program with an entity that receives State
funding or is operated by a State agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) 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 agencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) 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
2208.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(j) Report.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Not less than once every 2
years after the establishment of an apprenticeship program
under this section, the Director shall submit to Congress a
report on the program, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) a description of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) any activity carried out by
the Agency under this section;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) any entity that enters into
a contract or agreement with or receives a
grant from the Agency under subsection
(e);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) any activity carried out
using a contract, agreement, or grant under
this section as described in subsection (e);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) best practices used to
leverage the investment of the Federal
Government under this section; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) an assessment of the results
achieved by the program, including the rate of
continued employment at the Agency for participants
after completing an apprenticeship program carried out
under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(k) Performance Reports.--Not later than 1 year after
the establishment of an apprenticeship program under this section, and
annually thereafter, 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 (i) and (ii) of
section 116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Agency such sums as necessary to
carry out this section.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public
Law 107-296; 116 Stat. 2135) is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 2217 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 2218. Apprenticeship program.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM ON CYBER TRAINING FOR VETERANS AND
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TRANSITIONING TO CIVILIAN
LIFE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Eligible individual.--The term ``eligible
individual'' means an individual who is--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) a member of the Armed Forces
transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to
civilian life; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) a veteran.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Portable credential.--The term ``portable
credential''--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) 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 standard; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) includes a degree, diploma, license,
certificate, badge, and professional or industry
certification that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) has value locally and
nationally in labor markets, educational
systems, or other contexts;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) is defined publicly in such a
way that allows educators, employers, and other
individuals and entities to understand and
verify the full set of skills represented by
the credential; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) enables a holder of the
credential to move vertically and horizontally
within and across training and education
systems for the attainment of other
credentials.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning
given the term in section 101 of title 31, United States
Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Work-based learning.--The term ``work-based
learning'' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20
U.S.C. 2302).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish a pilot program under which the Secretary shall provide
cyber-specific training for eligible individuals.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Elements.--The pilot program established under
subsection (b) shall incorporate--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) virtual platforms for coursework and
training;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) hands-on skills labs and
assessments;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Federal work-based learning opportunities and
programs; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) the provision of portable credentials to
eligible individuals who graduate from the pilot
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Alignment With NICE Workforce Framework for
Cybersecurity.--The pilot program established under subsection (b)
shall align with the taxonomy, including work roles and associated
tasks, knowledge, and skills, from the National Initiative for
Cybersecurity Education Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NIST
Special Publication 800-181), or any successor framework.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Coordination.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Training, platforms, and frameworks.--In
developing the pilot program under subsection (b), the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall coordinate with the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the
Secretary of Labor, and the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management to evaluate and, where possible, leverage existing
training, platforms, and frameworks of the Federal Government
for providing cyber education and training to prevent
duplication of efforts.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Federal work-based learning opportunities and
programs.--In developing the Federal work-based learning
opportunities and programs required under subsection (c)(3),
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall coordinate with the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the
Secretary of Labor, the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies
to identify or create interagency opportunities that will
enable the pilot program established under subsection (b) to--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) bridge the gap between knowledge
acquisition and skills application for participants;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) give participants the experience
necessary to pursue Federal employment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Resources.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--In any case in which the pilot
program established under subsection (b)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) uses a program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs or platforms and frameworks described
in subsection (e)(1), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure
that those programs, platforms, and frameworks are
expanded and resourced to accommodate usage by eligible
individuals participating in the pilot program;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) does not use a program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs or platforms and
frameworks described in subsection (e)(1), the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take such actions
as may be necessary to develop or procure programs,
platforms, and frameworks necessary to carry out the
requirements of subsection (c) and accommodate the
usage by eligible individuals participating in the
pilot program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Actions.--Actions described in paragraph (1)
may include providing additional funding, staff, or other
resources to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) provide administrative support for
basic functions of the pilot program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) ensure the success and ongoing
engagement of eligible individuals participating in the
pilot program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) connect graduates of the pilot program
to job opportunities within the Federal Government;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) 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
employment.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. FEDERAL WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT EXTENSION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 304(a) of the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce
Assessment Act of 2015 (5 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended, in the matter
preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``2022'' and inserting
``2025''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Cybersecurity Workforce
Expansion Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the need for qualified cybersecurity personnel is
greater than ever, as demonstrated by the recent SolarWinds
breach and the growing spate of ransomware attacks on critical
infrastructure entities and State and local governments;
(2) the Federal Government is facing a shortage of
qualified cybersecurity personnel, as noted in a March 2019
Government Accountability Office report on critical staffing
needs in the Federal cybersecurity workforce;
(3) there is a national shortage of qualified cybersecurity
personnel, and according to CyberSeek, a project supported by
the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education within the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, there are
approximately 500,000 cybersecurity job openings around the
United States;
(4) in May 2021, the Department of Homeland Security
announced that the Department was initiating a 60 day sprint to
hire 200 cybersecurity personnel across the Department, with
100 of those hires for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Security Agency, to address a cybersecurity workforce shortage;
and
(5) the Federal Government needs to--
(A) expand the cybersecurity workforce pipeline of
the Federal Government to sustainably close a Federal
cybersecurity workforce shortage; and
(B) work cooperatively with the private sector and
State and local government authorities to expand
opportunities for new cybersecurity professionals.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Homeland Security.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Homeland Security.
SEC. 4. CYBERSECURITY APPRENTICESHIP PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Area career and technical education school.--The term
``area career and technical education school'' has the meaning
given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(2) 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 degree, including--
(A) a 2-year Tribal College or University, as
defined in section 316 of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c); and
(B) a public 2-year State institution of higher
education.
(3) Competitive service.--The term ``competitive service''
has the meaning given the term in section 2102 of title 5,
United States Code.
(4) Cyber workforce position.--The term ``cyber workforce
position'' means a position identified as having information
technology, cybersecurity, or other cyber-related functions
under section 303 of the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce
Assessment Act of 2015 (5 U.S.C. 301 note).
(5) Early college high school; educational service agency;
local educational agency; secondary school; state educational
agency.--The terms ``early college high school'', ``educational
service agency'', ``local educational agency'', ``secondary
school'', and ``State educational agency'' have the meanings
given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(6) Education and training provider.--The term ``education
and training provider'' means--
(A) an area career and technical education school;
(B) an early college high school;
(C) an educational service agency;
(D) a high school;
(E) a local educational agency or State educational
agency;
(F) a Tribal educational agency (as defined in
section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7452)), Tribally controlled
college or university (as defined in section 2(a) of
the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities
Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801(a)), or Tribally
controlled postsecondary career and technical
institution (as defined in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20
U.S.C. 2302));
(G) a postsecondary educational institution, as
defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302);
(H) a minority-serving institution;
(I) a provider of adult education and literacy
activities under the Adult Education and Family
Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3271 et seq.);
(J) a local agency administering plans under title
I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et
seq.), other than section 112 or part C of that title
(29 U.S.C. 732, 741);
(K) a related instruction provider, including a
qualified intermediary acting as a related instruction
provider as approved by a registration agency;
(L) a Job Corps center, as defined in section 142
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
U.S.C. 3192), provided that the participation of the
Job Corps center is consistent with the outcomes for
Job Corps students described in section 141 of that Act
(29 U.S.C. 3191);
(M) a YouthBuild program, as defined in section
171(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(29 U.S.C. 3226(b)); or
(N) a consortium of entities described in any of
subparagraphs (A) through (M).
(7) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a sponsor;
(B) a State workforce development board or State
workforce agency, or a local workforce development
board or local workforce development agency;
(C) an education and training provider;
(D) a State apprenticeship agency;
(E) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization;
(F) an industry or sector partnership, a group of
employers, a trade association, or a professional
association that sponsors or participates in a program
under the national apprenticeship system;
(G) a Governor of a State;
(H) a labor organization or joint labor-management
organization; or
(I) a qualified intermediary.
(8) Excepted service.--The term ``excepted service'' has
the meaning given the term in section 2103 of title 5, United
States Code.
(9) Local workforce development board.--The term ``local
workforce development board'' has the meaning given the term
``local board'' in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(10) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' means an institution of higher education
described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
(11) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit
organization'' means an organization that is described in
section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt
from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
(12) Provider of adult education.--The term ``provider of
adult education'' has the meaning given the term ``eligible
provider'' in section 203 of the Adult Education and Family
Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3272).
(13) Qualified intermediary.--
(A) In general.--The term ``qualified
intermediary'' means an entity that demonstrates
expertise in building, connecting, sustaining, and
measuring the performance of partnerships described in
subparagraph (B) and serves program participants and
employers by--
(i) connecting employers to programs under
the national apprenticeship system;
(ii) assisting in the design and
implementation of such programs, including
curriculum development and delivery for related
instruction;
(iii) supporting entities, sponsors, or
program administrators in meeting the
registration and reporting requirements of this
Act;
(iv) providing professional development
activities such as training to mentors;
(v) supporting the recruitment, retention,
and completion of potential program
participants, including nontraditional
apprenticeship populations and individuals with
barriers to employment;
(vi) developing and providing personalized
program participant supports, including by
partnering with organizations to provide access
to or referrals for supportive services and
financial advising;
(vii) providing services, resources, and
supports for development, delivery, expansion,
or improvement of programs under the national
apprenticeship system; or
(viii) serving as a sponsor.
(B) Partnerships.--The term ``partnerships
described in subparagraph (B)'' means partnerships
among entities involved in, or applying to participate
in, programs under the national apprenticeship system,
including--
(i) industry or sector partnerships;
(ii) partnerships among employers, joint
labor-management organizations, labor
organizations, community-based organizations,
industry associations, State or local workforce
development boards, education and training
providers, social service organizations,
economic development agencies, Indian Tribes or
Tribal organizations, one-stop operators, one-
stop partners, or veterans service
organizations in the State workforce
development system; or
(iii) partnerships among 1 or more of the
entities described in clause (i) or (ii).
(14) 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 program.
(15) Sponsor.--The term ``sponsor'' means any person,
association, committee, or organization operating an
apprenticeship program and in whose name the program is, or is
to be, registered or approved.
(16) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given the
term in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 101).
(17) State apprenticeship agency.--The term ``State
apprenticeship agency'' has the meaning given the term in
section 29.2 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
corresponding similar regulation or ruling.
(18) State workforce development board.--The term ``State
workforce development board'' has the meaning given the term
``State board'' in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(19) WIOA terms.--The terms ``career planning'', ``career
pathway'', ``community-based organization'', ``economic
development agency'', ``industry or sector partnership'', ``on-
the-job training'', ``one-stop operator'', ``one-stop
partner'', ``recognized postsecondary credential'', and
``workplace learning advisor'' have the meanings given those
terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(b) Establishment of Apprenticeship Pilot Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an
apprenticeship pilot program.
(2) Requirements.--The apprenticeship pilot program
established under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) employ pilot program participants in cyber
workforce positions within the Department;
(B) employ not more than 25 new pilot program
participants during each year during which the pilot
program is carried out;
(C) be intended to lead to employment in a cyber
workforce position within a Federal agency;
(D) focus on related learning necessary, as
determined by the Secretary in consultation with the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management and
based upon the National Initiative for Cybersecurity
Education Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NIST
Special Publication 800-181, Revision 1), or successor
framework, to meet the immediate and ongoing needs of
cyber workforce positions within Federal agencies;
(E) be 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 16,
1937 (commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship
Act''; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.);
(F) be approved by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, pursuant to chapter 36 of title 38, United
States Code, or other applicable provisions of law, as
eligible for educational assistance to veterans; and
(G) be sponsored by the Department or an eligible
entity receiving a contract, cooperative agreement, or
grant under subsection (d).
(c) Coordination.--In the development of the apprenticeship pilot
program under this section, the Secretary shall consult with the
Secretary of Labor, the Director of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the National
Science Foundation, and the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management to leverage existing resources, research, communities of
practice, and frameworks for developing cybersecurity apprenticeship
programs.
(d) Optional Use of Contracts, Cooperative Agreements, or Grants.--
The apprenticeship pilot 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 Secretary
based on the eligible entity--
(1) demonstrating experience in implementing and providing
career planning and career pathways toward apprenticeship
programs;
(2) having knowledge of cybersecurity workforce
development;
(3) being eligible to enter into a contract or cooperative
agreement with or receive grant funds from the Department as
described in this section;
(4) providing participants who complete the apprenticeship
pilot program with 1 or more recognized postsecondary
credentials;
(5) using related instruction that is specifically aligned
with the needs of Federal agencies and utilizes workplace
learning advisors and on-the-job training to the greatest
extent possible; and
(6) demonstrating successful outcomes connecting
participants in apprenticeship programs to careers relevant to
the apprenticeship pilot program.
(e) Applications.--If the Secretary enters into an arrangement as
described in subsection (d), an eligible entity seeking a contract,
cooperative agreement, or grant under the pilot program shall submit to
the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(f) Priority.--In selecting eligible entities to receive a
contract, cooperative agreement, or grant under subsection (d), the
Secretary may prioritize an eligible entity that--
(1) is a member of an industry or sector partnership that
sponsors or participates in a program under the national
apprenticeship system;
(2) provides related instruction for 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 contract, cooperative
agreement, or grant under subsection (e);
(3) works with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, or veterans organizations to transition
members of the Armed Forces and veterans to apprenticeship
programs in a relevant sector; or
(4) plans to use the contract, cooperative agreement, or
grant to carry out the apprenticeship pilot program under this
section with an entity that receives State funding or is
operated by a State agency;
(5) has successfully increased the representation in
cybersecurity of women, underrepresented minorities, and
individuals from other underrepresented communities; or
(6) focuses on recruiting women, underrepresented
minorities, and individuals from other underrepresented
communities.
(g) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide technical
assistance to eligible entities that receive a contract, cooperative
agreement, or grant under subsection (d) to leverage the existing job
training and education programs of the Department and other relevant
programs at appropriate Federal agencies.
(h) Service Agreement for Pilot Program Participants.--
(1) In general.--Participants in the apprenticeship pilot
program under this section shall enter into an agreement to,
after completion of the apprenticeship pilot program and if
offered employment in a cyber workforce position within a
Federal agency post-apprenticeship, accept and continue
employment in such cyber workforce position for a period of
obligated service equal to the length of service in a position
under the apprenticeship pilot program by the participant.
(2) Repayment for period of unserved obligated service.--If
a participant in the apprenticeship pilot program under this
section fails to satisfy the requirements of the service
agreement entered into under paragraph (1) for a reason other
than involuntary separation, the participant shall repay the
cost of any education and training provided to the participant
as a part of the apprenticeship pilot program, reduced by the
ratio of the period of obligated service completed divided by
the total period of obligated service.
(3) Exception.--The Secretary may provide for the partial
or total waiver or suspension of any service or payment
obligation by an individual under this subsection if the
Secretary determines that compliance by the individual with the
obligation is impossible or would involve extreme hardship to
the individual, or if enforcement of such obligation with
respect to the individual would be unconscionable.
(i) Apprenticeship Hiring Authority.--Participants in the
apprenticeship pilot program under this section may be appointed to
cybersecurity-specific positions in the excepted service as determined
appropriate by the Secretary and authorized by section 2208 of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 658).
(j) Post-apprenticeship Hiring Authority.--Pursuant to subsection
(b)(2)(B), a participant who successfully completes the apprenticeship
pilot program under this section may be appointed to a cyber workforce
position in the excepted service for which the participant is
qualified.
(k) Post-apprenticeship Trial Period.--Federal service following
the apprenticeship shall be subject to completion of a trial period in
accordance with any applicable law, Executive Order, rule, or
regulation.
(l) Report.--
(1) Secretary.--Not later than 2 years after the date on
which the apprenticeship pilot program is established under
this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management, shall submit to Congress a
report on the pilot program, including--
(A) a description of--
(i) any activity carried out by the
Department under this section;
(ii) any entity that enters into a contract
or cooperative agreement with or receives a
grant from the Department under subsection (d);
(iii) any activity carried out using a
contract, cooperative agreement, or grant under
this section as described in subsection (d);
and
(iv) best practices used to leverage the
investment of the Federal Government under this
section; and
(B) an assessment of the results achieved by the
pilot program, including--
(i) the rate of continued employment within
a Federal agency for participants after
completing the pilot program;
(ii) the demographics of participants in
the pilot program, including representation of
women, underrepresented minorities, and
individuals from other underrepresented
communities;
(iii) the completion rate for the pilot
program, including if there are any
identifiable patterns with respect to
participants who do not complete the pilot
program; and
(iv) the return on investment for the pilot
program.
(2) Comptroller general.--Not later than 4 years after the
date on which the apprenticeship pilot program is established
under this section, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program,
including the recommendation of the Comptroller General with
respect to whether the pilot program should be extended.
(m) Termination.--The authority to carry out the apprenticeship
pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is 5
years after the date on which the Secretary establishes the
apprenticeship pilot program under this section.
SEC. 5. PILOT PROGRAM ON CYBERSECURITY TRAINING FOR VETERANS AND
MILITARY SPOUSES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible individual.--The term ``eligible individual''
means an individual who is--
(A) a veteran who is entitled to educational
assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of title
38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of
title 10, United States Code;
(B) a member of the active or a reserve component
of the Armed Forces that the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs determines will become an eligible individual
under subparagraph (A) within 180 days of such
determination, provided that if the individual does
anything to make themselves ineligible during the 180-
day period, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
require the individual to repay any benefits received
under this section; or
(C) an eligible spouse described in section
1784a(b) of title 10, United States Code.
(2) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term
``recognized postsecondary credential'' has the meaning given
the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(3) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given
the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(4) Work-based learning.--The term ``work-based learning''
has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a pilot program to
provide cybersecurity training at no cost to eligible individuals.
(c) Elements.--The pilot program established under subsection (b)
shall incorporate--
(1) coursework and training that, if applicable, qualifies
for postsecondary credit toward an associate or baccalaureate
degree at an institution of higher education;
(2) virtual learning opportunities;
(3) hands-on learning and performance-based assessments;
(4) Federal work-based learning opportunities and programs;
and
(5) the provision of recognized postsecondary credentials
to eligible individuals who complete the pilot program.
(d) Alignment With NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity.--The
pilot program established under subsection (b) shall align with the
taxonomy, including work roles and competencies and the associated
tasks, knowledge, and skills, from the National Initiative for
Cybersecurity Education Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NIST
Special Publication 800-181, Revision 1), or successor framework.
(e) Coordination.--
(1) Training, platforms, and frameworks.--In developing the
pilot program under subsection (b), the Secretary shall
coordinate with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, the Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management to evaluate and,
where possible, leverage existing training, platforms, and
frameworks of the Federal Government for providing
cybersecurity education and training to prevent duplication of
efforts.
(2) Existing educational assistance.--In developing the
pilot program under subsection (b), the Secretary shall
coordinate with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure
that, to the greatest extent possible, eligible individuals can
utilize educational assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, 34, or
35 of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of
title 10, United States Code, or other educational assistance
available to eligible individuals, such as the high technology
pilot program described in section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery
Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (38 U.S.C. 3001
note), while participating in the program.
(3) Federal work-based learning opportunities and
programs.--In developing the Federal work-based learning
opportunities and programs required under subsection (c)(4),
the Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and the heads
of other appropriate Federal agencies to identify or create, as
necessary, interagency opportunities that will enable the pilot
program established under subsection (b) to--
(A) allow the participants to acquire and
demonstrate competencies; and
(B) give participants the capabilities necessary to
qualify for Federal employment.
(f) Resources.--
(1) In general.--In any case in which the pilot program
established under subsection (b)--
(A) uses training, platforms, and frameworks
described in subsection (e)(1), the Secretary, in
coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure
that the trainings, platforms, and frameworks are
expanded and resourced to accommodate usage by eligible
individuals participating in the pilot program; or
(B) does not use training, platforms, and
frameworks described in subsection (e)(1), the
Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, shall take such actions as may be
necessary to develop or procure training, platforms,
and frameworks necessary to carry out the requirements
of subsection (c) and accommodate the usage by eligible
individuals participating in the pilot program.
(2) Actions.--Actions described in paragraph (1) may
include providing additional funding, staff, or other resources
to--
(A) recruit and retain women, underrepresented
minorities, and individuals from other underrepresented
communities;
(B) provide administrative support for basic
functions of the pilot program;
(C) ensure the success and ongoing engagement of
eligible individuals participating in the pilot
program;
(D) connect participants who complete the pilot
program to job opportunities within the Federal
Government; and
(E) allocate dedicated positions for term
employment to enable Federal work-based learning
opportunities and programs, as required under
subsection (c)(4), for participants to gain the
competencies necessary to pursue permanent Federal
employment.
(g) Reports.--
(1) Secretary.--Not later than 2 years after the date on
which the pilot program is established under subsection (b),
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress
a report on the pilot program, including--
(A) a description of--
(i) any activity carried out by the
Department under this section; and
(ii) the existing training, platforms, and
frameworks of the Federal Government leveraged
in accordance with subsection (e)(1); and
(B) an assessment of the results achieved by the
pilot program, including--
(i) the admittance rate into the pilot
program;
(ii) the demographics of participants in
the program, including representation of women,
underrepresented minorities, and individuals
from other underrepresented communities;
(iii) the completion rate for the pilot
program, including if there are any
identifiable patterns with respect to
participants who do not complete the pilot
program;
(iv) as applicable, the transfer rates to
other academic or vocational programs, and
certifications and licensure exam passage
rates;
(v) the rate of continued employment within
a Federal agency for participants after
completing the pilot program;
(vi) the rate of continued employment for
participants after completing the pilot
program; and
(vii) the median annual salary of
participants who completed the pilot program
and were subsequently employed.
(2) Comptroller general.--Not later than 4 years after the
date on which the pilot program is established under subsection
(b), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit
to Congress a report on the pilot program, including the
recommendation of the Comptroller General with respect to
whether the pilot program should be extended.
(h) Termination.--The authority to carry out the pilot program
under this section shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after
the date on which the Secretary establishes the pilot program under
this section.
SEC. 6. FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT EXTENSION.
Section 304(a) of the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment
Act of 2015 (5 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended, in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by striking ``2022'' and inserting ``2025''.
Calendar No. 446
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2274
[Report No. 117-131]
_______________________________________________________________________
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 life, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
July 18, 2022
Reported with an amendment