Senate introduces important workforce training bill.
Press Release Summary:
Manufacturing Institute President Jennifer McNelly issued statement in response to senate's introduction of the AMERICA Works Act, which would help address severe skills gap facing U.S. manufacturers. As manufacturing environment rapidly advances, skills and competencies of workforce must keep pace. Industry-recognized certifications, such as those in NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System, help individuals access skills and competencies they need for manufacturing jobs today.
Original Press Release:
Senate Introduces Important Workforce Training Bill
AMERICA Works will help increase use of industry-based certifications to close skills gap, increase access to employment, and develop future workforce
Washington, D.C., -- Manufacturing Institute President Jennifer McNelly issued a statement in response to the introduction of the AMERICA Works Act in the senate today. Senators Hagan (D-NC) and Heller (R-NV), with additional support from Senator Donnelly (D-IN), introduced the legislation, which would help in addressing the severe skills gap facing U.S. manufacturers. Recent data has shown that approximately 600,000 jobs may be going unfilled due to the lack of a skilled workforce, hindering economic growth and innovation in the U.S. The AMERICA Works Act would support manufacturers’ strategies to grow a qualified workforce by using industry-recognized certifications representing industry’s standards for education, training and employment.
“In order to thrive in the global economy, manufacturers must have a highly skilled, productive, and flexible workforce. A strong workforce allows companies to improve processes, discover innovations, and apply new technologies. As the manufacturing environment rapidly advances, the skills and competencies of the workforce must keep pace. Industry-recognized certifications, such as those in the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System, help individuals access the skills and competencies they need for manufacturing jobs today. Certifications also help employers know that an individual’s capacities are up to industry standards, making it easier for them to hire and promote their workforce. The Manufacturing Institute is very excited to support this important piece of legislation.”Â
Sandy Westlund-Deenihan, CEO of Quality Float Works, an NAM member company who uses industry-recognized certifications to ensure she is hiring the right person, also offered the following statement of support:
“Our manufacturing process is not what it was 25 years ago, it requires more advanced skills to deliver a high-quality product. Hiring someone with a nationally-portable, industry recognized certification allows my company to be secure in the knowledge that we are hiring someone with the skills necessary to maintain that level of quality.”
The AMERICA Works act would help manufacturers set a clear path for valuable training that helps employers know they are hiring the right person and helps potential employees know exactly what skills are necessary for success. The legislation would also make more efficient use of Federal resources by focusing existing Federal training dollars towards nationally-portable, industry recognized certifications within the Workforce Investment Act, Perkins and Trade Adjustment Assistance programs.
