Bruce Andrews

The Obama Administration has worked aggressively on several fronts to rapidly expand and train the cybersecurity workforce of the future. We launched the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), a program led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the US Department of Commerce, to create an ecosystem of cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development. And at the community level, we are supporting the development of fast-track tech training programs through TechHire, building public-private collaboration to help train and place people into tech jobs.

NICE was designed to expand the cybersecurity workforce by accelerating learning and skills development; nurturing a diverse learning community; and guiding career development and workforce planning. NICE is undertaking a range of strategies to put these goals into action. This June, the Department of Labor awarded $150 million in TechHire grants for partnerships to develop tech talent following this model across the country. Through these funds and other investments, local communities are launching a range of innovative training and placement models in critical tech fields, including cybersecurity. The demand for cybersecurity skills will only continue to grow. Through local collaborative efforts between employers, training providers, and community leaders, we can be sure that all individuals have the opportunity to build on their tech knowledge and participate in the thriving tech economy.

US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews delivered keynote remarks at an event hosted by the Urban Alliance on “Young People, Tech and the Future of Work.” The event brought together leaders in government, business, and academia to collaborate on creating opportunities for young people and the business community to train, prepare, and leverage the skills of the next-generation of workers and innovators. During his remarks, Deputy Sec Andrews highlighted the Department of Commerce’s partnerships with industry to help close the nation’s talent gap through the Skills for Business agenda. In closing, the Deputy Sec underscored the critical importance of preparing the nation’s young people to succeed in the high-tech jobs of the 21st century.