Blackburn’s bipartisan, bicameral bill ramps up advanced manufacturing education, training

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on Tuesday proposed bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would establish demonstration and pilot projects to facilitate education and training programs in advanced manufacturing.

Sen. Blackburn on Jan. 14 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act, S. 3188, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) to help fill the jobs gap in advanced manufacturing.

“As we prepare for the future, we know it is essential to continue to educate our workforce and prepare for not only the next year, but the next decade,” Sen. Blackburn said. “The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act will assist our employers in increasing the number of advanced manufacturing training programs and encourage collaboration to grow our workforce.”

If enacted, S. 3188 would direct the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to initiate pilot projects between local community colleges, state and tribal colleges, local boards, advanced manufacturers, and Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers, to facilitate education and training programs in advanced manufacturing, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Blackburn’s office.

Under the bill, these pilot projects would help target skills development in communities with expected growth in advanced manufacturing; educate individuals about opportunities for career advancement within advanced manufacturing; and prioritize training and hiring of displaced and unemployed individuals, according to the summary.

The bill has been endorsed by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition, Nevada Industry Excellence, and the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services.

The same-named H.R. 5604 was introduced on Jan. 14 by U.S. Reps. Phil Roe (R-TN) and Norma Torres (D-CA) in their chamber.