Cybersecurity Workforce Development & Training Grants

The Cybersecurity Talent Gap: Why Workforce Training Matters

The United States faces a critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals. According to CyberSeek, there are over 500,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions nationwide, and California alone accounts for a significant share of that gap. For employers in Orange County, Riverside County, Irvine, and Corona, this shortage means increased competition for talent, higher salary demands, and greater exposure to cyber risk when positions remain vacant for months.

The good news is that multiple federal and California state programs exist specifically to fund cybersecurity workforce training — both for individuals looking to enter the field and for employers seeking to upskill their existing workforce. Many of these programs cover 100% of training costs, including tuition, certification exam fees, and even living expenses during training. Understanding which programs are available and how to access them can save thousands of dollars while building the cybersecurity skills our communities desperately need.

WIOA: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the primary federal workforce development law, providing billions of dollars annually to states for job training programs. WIOA funds can pay for cybersecurity training, certification exams, books, transportation, and even childcare while you train. Cybersecurity is one of the most commonly approved training areas under WIOA because of the documented workforce shortage and high employer demand.

Who Qualifies for WIOA

• Adults (Title I) — Any adult aged 18 or older, with priority given to low-income individuals, public assistance recipients, and veterans
• Dislocated Workers — Workers who have been laid off, had hours reduced, or lost employment due to business closures or downsizing
• Youth (Ages 16-24) — Out-of-school youth or low-income in-school youth facing barriers to education or employment

What WIOA Covers for Cybersecurity Training

• Tuition for approved cybersecurity certificate and degree programs
• Certification exam fees (CompTIA Security+, CySA+, CISSP, CEH, and others)
• Training materials, textbooks, and lab access
• Supportive services including transportation, childcare, and work-related supplies
• On-the-job training (OJT) subsidies for employers who hire and train new cybersecurity staff

How to Apply in Southern California

WIOA services are delivered through local America's Job Centers of California (AJCCs), also known as workforce centers. To apply:

1. Visit your nearest workforce center (see local offices below) and meet with a career counselor
2. Complete an eligibility assessment and discuss your career goals in cybersecurity
3. Work with your counselor to identify an approved training program from California's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)
4. Receive an Individual Training Account (ITA) voucher that covers your approved training costs

Local workforce centers:

• OC Workforce Solutions — Multiple locations across Orange County including Irvine, Anaheim, and Santa Ana
• Riverside County Workforce Development Center — Offices in Riverside, Corona, Hemet, and other cities throughout Riverside County

California Employment Training Panel (ETP)

The Employment Training Panel (ETP) is a California state program that funds employer-driven training for incumbent workers. Unlike WIOA, which primarily serves job seekers, ETP reimburses employers for the cost of training their existing employees in new skills — including cybersecurity.

How ETP Works

• Employer-initiated: California employers apply for ETP contracts to train their workers. ETP reimburses the employer after training is completed and workers retain their jobs
• Funding source: ETP is funded through the Employment Training Tax paid by California employers — if your business pays into the state unemployment insurance system, you are already contributing to this fund
• Reimbursement rates: ETP typically reimburses $2,000-$4,000+ per trainee depending on the type of training and contract
• Approved training: Cybersecurity awareness training, technical cybersecurity skills (network security, incident response, cloud security), and industry certifications all qualify

ETP for Cybersecurity

ETP is particularly valuable for Southern California employers who need to upskill their existing IT staff in cybersecurity or train non-technical employees in cybersecurity awareness. The state allocates approximately 25% of ETP's annual core funds — roughly $25 million — specifically to apprenticeship programs, including cybersecurity apprenticeships. Employers can join existing Multiple Employer Contracts (MECs) through the ETP Training Opportunities page, or apply for their own contract.

California Employment and Training Pathways Program (ETPP)

The Employment and Training Pathways Program is a state-funded initiative using WIOA Title I Governor's discretionary funds. For Program Year 2025-26, up to $16.3 million was made available to expand access to high-quality, career-connected learning opportunities for Californians facing systemic barriers to employment.

ETPP specifically targets training in high-demand sectors including cybersecurity, information technology, and advanced manufacturing. Eligible applicants include local workforce development boards, community colleges, adult education providers, nonprofits, and tribal organizations. This program funds both training delivery and supportive services to help participants complete their programs and secure employment.

Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing workers to earn while they learn. California has invested heavily in expanding cybersecurity apprenticeship opportunities.

State of California IT Cybersecurity Apprenticeship

The IT Cybersecurity Non-Traditional Apprenticeship Program through CalHR provides state employees at participating departments with up to two years of structured cybersecurity training combining on-the-job experience with college instruction. While this program is for state employees, it demonstrates the model that private-sector employers can replicate using ETP or other funding sources.

Registered Apprenticeship for Private Employers

Private-sector employers in Orange County and Riverside County can develop their own registered cybersecurity apprenticeship programs through the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS). Benefits include:

• Tax credits: California employers may receive tax credits of up to $5,000 per apprentice per year
• ETP reimbursement: Apprenticeship training costs can be reimbursed through ETP contracts
• Reduced turnover: Apprentices who complete their programs have significantly higher retention rates than externally hired workers
• Customized training: Employers design the curriculum around their specific cybersecurity needs and technology environment

Defense Supply Chain Cybersecurity Training

Southern California's large defense industry creates unique cybersecurity workforce needs. The CASCADE program, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, is working to bolster California's defense supply chain cybersecurity resilience, with training funds allocated through 2026. Companies in the defense supply chain that need to achieve CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) compliance may be eligible for funded cybersecurity training for their workforce.

This is particularly relevant for manufacturers and contractors in the Inland Empire and Orange County who work with military installations including Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar, and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.

Additional Workforce Training Resources

For Individuals

• CareerOneStop WIOA Training Finder — Search for WIOA-approved cybersecurity training programs near you
• UCLA Extension WIOA Programs — WIOA-eligible professional development courses including IT and cybersecurity
• CSU Dominguez Hills WIOA Programs — WIOA-funded IT training programs at a California State University campus
• California community colleges — Irvine Valley College, Saddleback College, Santiago Canyon College, Riverside City College, Norco College, Mt. San Jacinto College, and Cypress College all offer cybersecurity-related programs, many at just $46/unit for California residents

For Employers

• ETP Active Training Contracts — Find existing Multiple Employer Contracts you can join for subsidized employee training
• ETP Toolkit (California Community Colleges) — Resources for employers partnering with community colleges on ETP-funded training
• SBA Cybersecurity Workshops — Free cybersecurity awareness workshops for small business owners through SBA district offices in Santa Ana and Riverside

Step-by-Step: Getting Started

1. Individuals: Visit your nearest America's Job Center of California (AJCC) in Orange County or Riverside County. Tell them you are interested in cybersecurity training. They will assess your eligibility for WIOA funding and help you identify approved programs
2. Career changers: If you are currently employed but want to transition into cybersecurity, ask about Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) for dislocated workers or explore evening/weekend programs at local community colleges
3. Employers: Visit etp.ca.gov to explore ETP contracts for training your current workforce. You can also contact your local workforce development board to discuss On-the-Job Training (OJT) subsidies for new cybersecurity hires
4. Veterans: In addition to WIOA, you may qualify for VET TEC, GI Bill, or DoD SkillBridge programs that fund cybersecurity training. Visit your local AJCC and ask specifically about veterans' priority of service