Bill Overview
Title: Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish demonstration and pilot projects, through the awarding of grants or contracts, to facilitate training and education in advanced manufacturing. A local educational entity (e.g., a technical college, a community college, or an entity that assists educationally underserved communities) in partnership with a manufacturer that employs individuals who have advanced manufacturing skills is eligible to receive such grants or contracts. The corresponding project must (1) develop skills and competencies in communities with expected growth in advanced manufacturing; (2) provide education and training for available and anticipated jobs in advanced manufacturing; (3) educate individuals about career advancement opportunities within advanced manufacturing; and (4) give priority to incumbent workers, dislocated workers, and unemployed individuals.
Sponsors: Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by advanced manufacturing training programs
Estimated Size: 3500000
- The bill specifically targets the advanced manufacturing sector, which includes high-tech manufacturing processes.
- Local educational entities, such as technical and community colleges, will play a key role in implementing training programs, impacting students and faculty at these institutions.
- The bill prioritizes training for incumbent workers, dislocated workers, and unemployed individuals, impacting these populations directly through skills acquisition.
- The target is to prepare individuals for positions in advanced manufacturing jobs, which affects both current and future workforce needs.
- Communities with anticipated growth in advanced manufacturing will see economic impacts due to an increase in qualified workforce.
Reasoning
- Given the budget limitations, the implementation will likely focus on regions with anticipated economic growth in advanced manufacturing to maximize impact.
- The target population includes workers seeking skill upgrades, which requires selecting educational partners with strong ties to local industries.
- The policy is likely not to affect individuals outside the defined populations extensively, as it is focused on skill-building for specific manufacturing roles.
- There's a need to balance between providing immediate training opportunities and developing long-term educational infrastructure to support advanced manufacturing.
Simulated Interviews
Dislocated auto worker (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been looking for a similar job since my auto factory shut down. It's been tough.
- This new policy could be my way into the growing field that's coming to my area.
- I hope the training programs provide the actual skills needed and not just theoretical knowledge.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Machinist (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The opportunity to get new skills can really help me in advancing my career prospects.
- I'm excited that there might be a formal route to learn about advanced manufacturing.
- The collaboration with manufacturers is essential because they know what skills they need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Community college student (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Right now, it's hard to break into a field like advanced manufacturing from where I am.
- This sounds like a chance to get real training while finishing my degree.
- I hope they offer flexible schedules so students like me can attend.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Unemployed factory worker (Buffalo, New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I haven't been able to find stable work since our factory closed.
- Being offered training can give me a new lease on employment.
- I hope these programs happen soon because I've been struggling for a while.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 1 |
Warehouse worker (San Francisco, California)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Honestly, I'd never thought about advanced manufacturing as a career path.
- If the program is LGBTQ friendly, I might consider attending.
- It's important for such opportunities to be inclusive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Technical college instructor (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These grants could allow us to expand our program and offer more specialized courses.
- Our students are eager to learn about what's relevant in the industry now.
- It's great to see funding coming towards community colleges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired engineer (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This shift to advanced manufacturing is interesting, though I'm past my work years.
- I believe my past experience could help those new to the field.
- I'm interested in volunteering to mentor the younger generation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Engineer (Houston, Texas)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill could help the workforce transition to more sustainable industries.
- Training in advanced technologies is crucial as the energy sector evolves.
- I see potential for creating jobs that are both well-paying and environmentally friendly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Unemployed college graduate (Louisville, Kentucky)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am looking for new opportunities that align with my degree.
- Management positions in new tech fields like this sound ideal.
- Education programs like this might open doors to relevant positions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Software developer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I already work in tech, so this policy doesn't change much for my job.
- It's encouraging to see more support for bridging the gap between tech and traditional manufacturing.
- I may take a course out of pure interest.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $450000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $500000000)
Year 2: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 3: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $400000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Implementation and operational logistics between educational entities and manufacturers will be crucial to the program's success.
- Sustained funding over the duration of the demonstration projects ensures program stability and success in achieving its goals.
- Long lead times for training completion and workforce entry could mean delayed visible impacts on employment or GDP.
- Coordination with state and federal labor initiatives could enhance program effectiveness and reduce redundancies.