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Administration proposes moving Cyber Maryland into Department of Labor with $5M investment for workforce buildout
Summary
House Bill 82 would transfer the Cyber Maryland program from TEDCO to the Maryland Department of Labor; administration witnesses said the move aims to scale workforce training, apprenticeships and regional cyber ranges and that the governor's budget includes $5 million to expand Cyber Maryland programming.
House Bill 82 would shift the Cyber Maryland program, currently housed at TEDCO, to the Maryland Department of Labor and broaden the program’s workforce development responsibilities, including registered apprenticeships and grantmaking to expand cyber training and employer partnerships.
Why it matters: Supporters argued the Department of Labor has the infrastructure to scale workforce training, apprenticeships and coordinate with community colleges and employers; the governor’s budget includes a multi‑million dollar investment if the program is moved.
Portia Wu, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, testified in support and outlined workforce data presented in the Cyber Maryland Board report: the Maryland‑D.C. region has one of the highest demands for cybersecurity jobs nationally, with demand more than three times the national average and a substantial talent gap. Secretary Wu said the transfer would align program operations with workforce systems, community colleges and registered apprenticeship structures. She noted the governor’s budget proposes a $5 million investment split across direct department funding and a dedicated purpose account.
Troy Lamel Stovall, CEO of TEDCO, said TEDCO helped incubate the program and “we are fully supportive of this move” to the Department of Labor to allow scaling. Other witnesses — workforce boards, cyber training providers and private sector partners — testified in support, citing alignment with local workforce boards and the need to expand cyber ranges and apprenticeships.
Committee members asked about transition timing and whether funding and program authority would align with fiscal start dates; witnesses said they would work with the committee to align effective dates to avoid a gap in authority and funding.
Ending note: The bill drew broad supportive testimony from public‑ and private‑sector witnesses about workforce needs in cybersecurity and the administration’s plan to invest in training and apprenticeships if the transfer is approved; committee discussion focused on timing and alignment of funding authority.
