Manufacturers Support H.R. 6655

April 9, 2024

U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the Manufacturing Institute, the nonprofit education and workforce development affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, I respectfully urge you to support H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act.

For years, workforce issues have been manufacturers’ top concerns. A recent study by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte illustrates the depth of the challenge facing the industry. The U.S. manufacturing sector will need to fill 3.8 million jobs over the next 10 years. As the need for higher-level skills grows, nearly half of these positions could remain unfilled.

Manufacturers are doing their part to address the issue. The study found that 94% of manufacturers are forming local partnerships to improve job attraction and retention. These include programs to increase the participation of veterans, second chance hires, and refugees in the manufacturing workforce. Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed indicated that apprenticeships, work studies, or internships at manufacturing companies would be the most effective way to increase interest in manufacturing as a career choice.

The Manufacturing Institute strongly supports H.R. 6655 and its essential updates to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This legislation modernizes WIOA to meet the needs of today’s manufacturing by expanding both the amount and options for skills development provided under the law and most critically, strengthening connections between employers and the workforce system to ensure that skills development is connected to regional needs. This bill will improve our nation’s job training system and offer greater access to postsecondary education and skills development which will provide manufacturers that are willing to invest in workforce development the opportunity to do so effectively.

As an organization that supports manufacturers small and large and from all sectors across the United States, we urge you to support passage of H.R. 6655 and expand access to the skills education and training individuals need to secure family-supporting manufacturing jobs.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Lee
President and Executive Director
The Manufacturing Institute

– The Manufacturing Institute –

The Manufacturing Institute builds a resilient manufacturing workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Through implementing groundbreaking programs, convening industry leaders and conducting innovative research, the MI furthers individual opportunity, community prosperity and a more competitive manufacturing industry. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with solutions to address the toughest workforce issues. For more information on the MI, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.