WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced her co-sponsorship of the bipartisan Advanced Technological Manufacturing Act. This legislation, introduced by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), would reauthorize and modernize the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program. The ATE program involves partnerships between industry and community colleges and other institutions of higher education to support curriculum development, professional development for faculty, and the development of career pathways in STEM fields.
“The devastating economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic further demonstrates the need for a strong STEM workforce,” dijo el Senador Rosen. “We must invest in economic recovery efforts like workforce development to equip our labor force with the skills necessary to fill roles in advanced technological jobs. I’m supporting this bipartisan legislation to help spur our economy by training our students and workers in the STEM jobs of tomorrow. I will continue working to ensure that Nevadans have access to the STEM education and workforce development they need to succeed in a 21st-century economy.”
BACKGROUND: The Advanced Technological Manufacturing Act would:
- Modernize the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992.
- Direct the NSF director to establish a series of pilot programs to expand the number of institutions of higher education that can successfully compete for NSF grants.
- Include cybersecurity in the definition of STEM
Earlier this year, Senator Rosen introduced the Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act (S.3188) with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). This bipartisan legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Labor to initiate pilot projects between local community colleges, state and tribal colleges, local boards, advanced manufacturers, and Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers, in order to facilitate education and training programs in the field of advanced manufacturing to help fill the gap between the growth of advanced manufacturing jobs, and individuals qualified with the unique skill set to fill those positions.
In May, Rosen helped introduce the Relaunching America’s Workforce Act (S. 3659), which would invest $15 billion in America’s workforce training infrastructure and career and technical education. This bill includes $2 billion to restart Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training (TAACCCT) – a grant program created during the 2008 recession to support partnerships with community colleges and businesses, and provide individuals pathways to high-skill, high-wage and in-demand employment opportunities.
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