Readout: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Convenes Workshop on Good-Paying Jobs for Veterans and Military Spouses

ONCD Announced Major Commitments to Increase New Job Opportunities and Cyber Workforce Training programs to Prepare Students to Join the Nation’s Cyber Workforce

August 1, 2024

Yesterday at the White House, the Biden-Harris Administration convened stakeholders from across the public and private sectors for a workshop focused on expanding opportunities for veterans and military spouses to obtain good-paying and meaningful cyber jobs. The workshop created actionable outcomes designed to reduce barriers and broaden pathways for veterans and military spouses to join the cyber workforce.

The Administration has made a strong commitment to those who serve — military service members, veterans transitioning from active-duty service, and military-connected spouses — by facilitating their journey from the military to opportunities in cybersecurity, good-paying jobs in cyber. President Biden’s Executive Order, Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors, directs Federal departments and agencies to strengthen their commitment to recruit and hire our nation’s skilled and diverse veterans and their families.

The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) is committed to helping members of those military-connected communities to take full advantage of the Federal programs that are available to help them leverage their experience and skills for careers in the cyber workforce, including with the Federal Government.

The Office of the National Cyber Director co-hosted the workshop along with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) to highlight the one-year anniversary of the public release of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy and promote the ways in which Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments can better serve transitioning service members, veterans, and military-connected families.

“A career in cyber is a good fit for veterans and military spouses. Employers are coming to understand that veterans and military spouses can be fantastic employees, leaders, and members of their teams,” said National Cyber Director Harry Coker, Jr. “I also appreciate that a cyber job may be particularly helpful to military spouses because they are often picking up and moving to a new city – many cyber jobs can be done remotely.”

“Service members, who defend our national infrastructure from cyber attacks, are uniquely positioned to fill and lead cybersecurity roles with their transferable skills refined while in uniform,” said the Honorable James D. Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)-VETS. “Convening stakeholders from both the public and private sectors will be critical to meeting the demand for cybersecurity workers. ONCD is reducing barriers, proving a degree isn’t needed for those who’ve already done this job.”

During the event, participants provided examples of best practices that could be implemented by both public and private sector. This included dedicated recruitment programs for military spouses, additional leave for military spouses in conjunction with military service member moves, and flexible telework policies for military spouses. The participants also highlighted the importance of training and educating human resources professionals to support flexible hiring practices and skills-based hiring, as well as earn while you learn work-based learning opportunities such as Skill Bridge, registered apprenticeships, and paid internships. The DOL also highlighted the dedicated support that veterans and military spouse receive through the American Jobs Centers, at nearly 2,400 locations nationwide.

One of the key takeaways from this discussion was the urgent need for awareness of the many opportunities and programs that are available to military-connected families. This includes highlighting programs, training opportunities and placement support through the Federal, state, industry, educational, and non-profit sectors.

It is important to reduce barriers that are preventing veterans and military spouses from joining the workforce. It is necessary to continue to review and address challenges such as personnel vetting requirements, as well as using a skills-based hiring approach and expanding access to flexible work arrangements.

Deputy National Cyber Director Harry Wingo, Jr. provided closing remarks that emphasized the importance of this workshop and how ONCD looks forward to continued partnership in implementing these actions. He was joined by Assistant Secretary Rodríguez, who shared that a brand-new DOL Federal resource guide highlighting programs for transitioning service members, veterans, and military-connected families in accessing the cyber workforce will be available in the coming weeks.

Commitments from the public and private sector are vital to growing the cyber workforce that America needs. Building on more than 100 voluntary commitments gained from agencies and organizations across the country, ONCD is elevating solutions that model best practices and highlight exceptional opportunities to support good-paying cyber careers for all Americans. Today, ONCD was pleased to announce additional commitments that will deliver training and employment nationwide to more veterans and military spouses interested in joining the cyber workforce:

Apex Program
The Apex Program, an initiative dedicated to empowering the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veteran communities in the cybersecurity field, commits to training over 100 students, coupled with the goal of 100% placement in the cybersecurity industry, in 2024. By 2026, the Apex Program commits to training over 400 students every year. In partnership with its parent company Novacoast, Inc., the program’s mission is to bridge the gap in cybersecurity talent through inclusive, accessible, and comprehensive training.

IBSS Corporation
IBSS, a Maryland-based women-owned small business and Certified B Corporation, is committed to building and growing a skills-based cyber workforce consisting of professionals from varied backgrounds who have the expertise to assist organizations meet cybersecurity challenges. IBSS established its Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program in November 2020 to provide opportunities to under-resourced communities, with 24 graduates to date. The apprenticeship program includes a hands-on job training lab that facilitates in-demand skills. The program will also expand opportunities for veterans associated with the DoD SkillBridge Program for up to 10 people by the end of 2025.

ManTech
ManTech, a company that provides advanced mission-focused technology solutions and services, is committed to investing millions of dollars into programs, collaborations, and public-private partnerships aligned with the objectives of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES). ManTech also commits to training its own workforce of over 10,000 professionals in cybersecurity and other technical training through ManTech’s Advanced Cyber Training Program (ACTP). Furthermore, ManTech will strengthen existing collaborations and public-private partnerships, such as the DoD SkillBridge, Hiring our Heroes, Virginia Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Internships, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Women in Cyber (WiCyS), and the GEM Fellowship Program. These initiatives provide professional development and career opportunities for veterans and underrepresented groups, promoting inclusivity and expanding earning potential in the cybersecurity profession for individuals from all backgrounds.

NTT Data
NTT DATA is a $30+ billion global innovator of business and technology services including offering cybersecurity solutions. NTT DATA aims to increase the number of cybersecurity professionals in the United States by approximately 15,000 through its Global Talent Development Program by the end of FY2027. Further, through partnerships with colleges and universities across the United States, NTT DATA continues to help educate students on a career path in technology by supporting curriculum development and fast-tracking their journey into workforce.

State Guard Association of the United States
The State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Cyber Defense Academy, which trains individuals in cybersecurity, commits to developing the nation’s first state-infrastructure-specific cyber defense training course and training 10,000 U.S. military veterans for new careers in military, Government, and the cyber private sector by 2028.

Participants included subject matter experts from the following private sector organizations:

50 Strong, Apex Program from Novacoast, Apprenti, Amazon, Blue Star Families, Booz Allen, Boston Consulting Group, Cyber Maryland, CyberSkills2Work & University of West Florida, Deloitte, Dog Tag Inc., EC-Council, IBSS Corporation, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, ManTech, National Association of State Workforce Agencies, NTT Federal, Peraton, Safal Partners, Secure Tech 360, State Guard Association of the United States, Task Force Movement, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo Bank, Werner, and Women in Cybersecurity. 

Participants representing the following Federal Government organizations attended:

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Military Career Transition Office, DOD Military Community & Family Policy Office, DOL Employment and Training Agency, DOL-VETS, U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology NICE Program, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Information and Technology, VA Veterans Benefits Administration, as well as the White House’s Joining Forces and the Office of Management and Budget.

Other organizations represented included the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the State of Maryland’s Department of Veterans and Military Families.