NATE Statement on Workforce Amendment in Senate Infrastructure Legislation
For Immediate Release:
August 3, 2021
NATE Statement on Workforce Amendment in Senate Infrastructure Legislation
(Washington, D.C.) – NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association issued the following statement today after U.S. Senators passed an amendment related to communications infrastructure workforce issues during debate on federal infrastructure legislation:
“We are very pleased that Senator Thune’s Telecom Skilled Workforce Act has been added to the bipartisan infrastructure legislation being considered in the Senate,” said Todd Washam, NATE Director of Government Relations and Wireless Industry Network. Senator Thune’s leadership on workforce development issues will help our industry meet the enormous demands for broadband and closing the digital divide resulting from this important legislation. NATE also thanks Senators Tester, Moran, Peters and King for cosponsoring this amendment,” Washam added.
Background: The Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act was identified by NATE’s Legislative and Regulatory Committee as one of the Association’s top legislative priorities. This legislation would help close the workforce shortage in the telecommunications industry. It would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to issue guidance to states on how to bolster workforce efforts. An FCC-led interagency working group, in consultation with the Department of Labor and other federal and non-federal stakeholders, would develop recommendations to address the workforce shortage. The group would identify federal resources available to states for workforce development efforts. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY). Senator Thune’s amendment was adopted by a vote of 95-1 during debate on federal infrastructure legislation.
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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 1,065 member companies located throughout the United States, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, China, Guam, Israel, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and the United Kingdom. For additional information on NATE, please visit natehome.com.
Contact: Todd Washam
(605) 882-5865
