 3.3.2 Expand the availability of low- or no-cost competency-based credentials. The NCWCG will explore programs across agencies that can contribute to the development of lowor no-cost industry-valued cyber credentials. SLTT governments and employers are also encouraged to increase awareness of cyber skills that industry-recognized credentials represent and help hiring managers develop position descriptions that better reflect needed skills. Credential providers are encouraged to develop such cyber credentials to facilitate broad access. 3.3.3 Increase collaboration with organizations that serve or operate within underserved and underrepresented communities. The NCWCG will promote collaboration with public and private organizations that represent, support, and engage underserved and underrepresented populations to help develop more inclusive cyber hiring practices, work-based learning programs, and training programs. (Several organizations that do this work can be found at Appendix C.) Industry and education institutions are encouraged to partner with federal, state, Tribal, and local entities that support workforce boards, Small Business Development Centers, American Job Centers, and Job Corps Centers, to incorporate cyber skills development. 3.3.4 Facilitate and support greater participation by veterans in the cyber workforce. The Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)95 and Regional Veterans’ Employment Coordinators, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and other departments and agencies will continue to help veterans join the cyber workforce. They will communicate the benefits of hiring veterans and help employers hire veterans by translating military experiences, skills, credentials, certifications and nomenclature into terms in use in the civilian workforce. Ecosystem stakeholders are encouraged to do the same, with a particular focus on public-private partnerships that support job training, industry certifications, and upskilling to prepare veterans for entry or advancement in high-demand cyber occupations. The NSA-funded CyberSkills2Work Program, which involves more than 40 business entities may serve as a model for such partnerships,96 as does the Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program (VMSTEP),97 led by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which supports the Hiring Our Heroes organization and other activities with résumé help, career counseling, and hiring events. 3.3.5 Develop immigration policies to welcome and retain foreign-born talent into the nation’s cyber workforce. ONCD will work with stakeholders in the executive branch to support the development of policies and procedures to welcome and retain foreign-born talent in the cyber workforce, especially those educated and trained in the United States. Because the immigration changes necessary to significantly increase the retention of foreign-born talent trained in the United States can be 31 NATIONAL CYBER WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION STRATEGY