NATE Statement on Introduction of Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act in the U.S. Senate
For Immediate Release:
February 2, 2021
NATE Statement on Introduction of Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act in the U.S. Senate
(Washington, D.C.) – NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today issued the following statement on the introduction of the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act in the United States Senate:
“NATE strongly supports the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act that was introduced today in the United States Senate by Senators Thune, Tester, Wicker, Moran and Peters,” stated President & CEO Todd Schlekeway. “Workforce development remains a top priority for the Association’s member companies and it is great to see this bi-partisan group of U.S. Senators come out of the gate strong in the 117th Congress through the introduction of this legislation. NATE believes that the provisions outlined in the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act can serve as a springboard to fostering greater collaboration between the federal government, state workforce boards, higher education and industry to accomplish the ultimate goal of developing a future pipeline of skilled technicians that the country sorely needs to meet its ambitious broadband and 5G deployment objectives, added Schlekeway.”
The Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act addresses the workforce needs of the communications industry by outlining provisions associated with communications workforce guidance between the federal government and states, establishing an interagency working group and requiring a GAO assessment of the workforce needs estimated to deploy broadband infrastructure to rural areas and support the installation of 5G wireless technology.
The introduction of the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act represents growing momentum to address telecom workforce issues and comes on the heels of a coalition representing 11 leading industry organizations that sent a joint letter to the White House and Congress urging support for broadband-related job skills development as part of any infrastructure legislation.
For more information on the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act, visit www.Congress.gov. For information related to NATE, visit www.natehome.com today.
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About NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association is a non-profit trade association dedicated to providing a unified voice for companies in the diverse tower and communications infrastructure construction, service and maintenance industries. Today the Association boasts over 985 member companies located throughout the United States, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Jamaica, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and the United Kingdom. For additional information on NATE, please visit www.natehome.com.
Contact: Todd Schlekeway
(605) 882-5865
