National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) president John Engler issued this statement June 24 following the introduction of the America Works Act (S. 3529) by Senator Kay Hagan (D-North Carolina):
“Manufacturers commend Senator Hagan (D-NC) for her leadership on this important legislation. This bill recognizes the need for a strong technical workforce in America and the value of industry-recognized, nationally-portable credentials such as the NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System (MSCS) developed by The Manufacturing Institute. Employers rely on workers with the right skills to drive innovation, productivity and global competitiveness. Manufacturers are leading the economic recovery and job creation in the United States, but advanced manufacturing jobs require a skilled workforce. The MSCS offers new and transitioning workers a clear pathway to in-demand skills so they can prepare for good, high-paying jobs in manufacturing.
“The federal government invests billions of dollars each year in workforce training programs and needs to better align education and training to the needs of employers. This legislation recognizes that the solution is to prioritize education and training funding for skills credentials such as the MSCS that offer real value in the workplace for both workers and employers. The NAM has long advocated this smart approach to education and training and looks forward to continuing to work with lawmakers in both chambers to ensure the bill’s passage this year.”
The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation’s largest industrial trade association, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information, visit www.nam.org.
The Manufacturing Institute, the non-partisan 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, delivers leading-edge information and services to the nation’s manufacturers through its National Center for the American Workforce and its National Center for Manufacturing Research.