Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus and member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, recently applauded the passage of the Advanced Technological Manufacturing Act, bipartisan legislation he authored to expand access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education across America. Congressman Kildee introduced this legislation with Rep. Peter Meijer (MI-03). The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate.
The Advanced Technological Manufacturing Act helps support and prepare students at community colleges for jobs in STEM fields by:
Updating the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act to create more STEM education opportunities.
Directing the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a pilot program to help postsecondary schools successfully compete for federal NSF grants.
“I am pleased that the House of Representatives passed my bipartisan legislation to prepare more students for good-paying jobs in STEM career fields,” Kildee said. “Jobs in the science, technology, engineering and math fields are growing and in demand, and my legislation will do more to hire workers in these areas. Investing in STEM education will make us more economically competitive in the global economy, including with China. My bill will help Michigan community colleges compete for federal grants to ensure that students are prepared for the twenty-first century economy.”
Since coming to Congress, Kildee has prioritized investing in and expanding workforce training programs. In 2014, he introduced the 21st Century Manufacturing Skills and Jobs Act, which would build on and expand Michigan’s successful New Jobs Training Program, enabling community colleges and local businesses to provide workforce training for workers for new manufacturing jobs. Earlier this year, Kildee helped pass the National Apprenticeship Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, which would invest in and expand access to registered apprenticeships.
