U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) recently introduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize and modernize the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program.
“High-tech fields drive our nation’s economy,” said Sen. Wicker, chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “This legislation would spur economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic by developing a workforce prepared to fill roles in advanced technological sectors.
“Training today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs is a major priority for me,” he said.
Sen. Wicker on May 13 sponsored the Advanced Technological Manufacturing Act, S. 3704, with original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The legislation would modernize the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 and direct the NSF director to establish a series of pilot programs toward expanding the number of institutions of higher education that would compete for NSF grants, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Wicker’s office.
“Community and Technical Colleges have led the way in skilling a workforce for STEM jobs,” said Sen. Cantwell. “But we need more institutions to participate, and this NSF legislation further incentivizes more STEM education in America.”
Community college leaders from 45 states sent a May 14 letter to Sens. Wicker, Cantwell, and others in support of the bill to reauthorize the ATE program, which they wrote focuses on education of technicians for high-technology fields and involves partnerships between academic institutions (middle schools, high schools and institutions of higher education) and industry to promote improved education for science and engineering technicians.
“The ATE program has not been reauthorized in 28 years,” according to the letter, which also requested that the program’s budget be increased from $75 million to $150 million annually as a component of a COVID 19 response stimulus package.
“This would be accomplished by passing S. 3704,” the leaders wrote. “The additional funding will promote a post-pandemic economic recovery by bringing research and development, workforce education and industry into new partnerships that foster equitable economic development and a workforce prepared to contribute to the growth of advanced technological sectors.”