Federal grants to train cybersecurity workers through apprenticeships
H.R. 8110 — Cyber Ready Workforce Act · Filed by Susie Lee (D-NV) · 2 cosponsors · Introduced Mar 26, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill creates a federal grant program within the Department of Labor to fund workforce intermediaries (partnerships of businesses, schools, nonprofits, and labor organizations) that establish and expand registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity. Grantees must spend at least 85% of funds on apprentice support, employer partnerships, curriculum development, and offsite training; up to 15% may go to outreach and marketing. The program aims to train workers for cybersecurity roles through a combination of classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and industry-recognized certifications.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a straightforward federal grant program to support apprenticeship training in cybersecurity. It is a direct public investment in workforce development with no hidden riders or liability shields.
What the text implies
- The bill names specific industry certifications (CompTIA, Microsoft, ISACA, (ISC)²) as eligible credentials, potentially creating a de facto preference for those vendors' training materials and exam fees, though the language includes 'or other industry-recognized certification' as an escape clause.
- Workforce intermediaries may be for-profit entities or include for-profit partners, meaning federal grant funds could flow to private training companies and employers, though the 85% spend-down requirement on direct apprentice support limits capture.
- The bill does not specify wage floors, apprentice compensation, or labor standards for participating employers, leaving room for low-wage apprenticeships that may not lead to sustainable careers.
Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.
Who it affects
The bill directly funds workforce development and apprenticeship training in a high-demand field, expanding access to career pathways and skills training for workers, including underrepresented populations. It does not impose restrictions on citizens' rights or remedies, nor does it create liability shields or tax carve-outs for private parties.
Who stands to gain
- workforce intermediaries (public and private)
- employers participating in apprenticeship programs
- postsecondary education institutions
- certification vendors (CompTIA, Microsoft, ISACA, (ISC)²)
- training and course material providers
Named in the bill
Department of Labor, CompTIA, Microsoft, ISACA, (ISC)², National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, National Apprenticeship Act
Where it stands
2 cosponsors: 2 Republicans.
- Mar 26, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
- Mar 26, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Education and Workforce · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce”
Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.
How this was measured
Analysis — Quorum's AI read the bill text published by Congress.gov (4,482 characters) on Aug 17, 2026. Section numbers in the findings refer to that text, linked below; transparency and hidden-provision scores are compared against the median of 16,222 analysed bills.
Status and sponsors — Congress.gov's bill record — actions, committee referrals and cosponsors — loaded nightly. The timeline shows status changes, not every procedural action.
As of — page rendered 2026-10-20.
“Federal grants to train cybersecurity workers through apprenticeships” QuorumCivic. https://share.quorumcivic.app/bill/119/hr8110 Report an error
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