Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has introduced a bipartisan bill to boost American semiconductor manufacturing as more and more companies invest in building facilities here in the United States.
What the Bill Does
Specifically, Sen. Kelly's CHIPS Training in America Act focuses on ensuring a unified, cohesive federal investment in developing a semiconductor workforce by requiring the development of a strategic plan to hire the best and brightest Americans.
For instance, the National Semiconductor Technology Center will be authorized to develop and disseminate degree, credential, and certificate frameworks in microelectronics and semiconductor workforce development programs.
Additionally, a grant program will be established to expand workforce development in the semiconductor and related fields through partnerships among industry, states and localities, and community colleges or career and technical programs.
Finally, the private sector will be encouraged and incentivized to invest in their own workforce development programs that work to fulfill the requirements of their CHIPS agreements.
What Lawmakers are Saying
"This bill builds the workforce pipeline we need to fill thousands of good‑paying microchip manufacturing jobs while strengthening our economy and national security," said Sen. Kelly in a press release. "By training technicians, upskilling community college students, and linking employers to local talent, we're turning investments from the Chips and Science Act into real jobs for Arizona families."
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), the bill's cosponsor, said, "To maintain American excellence in microchip design and manufacturing, we need to unlock the potential of our workforce to meet rising demand."
"By forging partnerships between community colleges and semiconductor manufacturers, more Americans will have the opportunity to receive the skilled trades education they need to secure good-paying jobs in this expanding sector of our economy," Sen. Budd continued. "I am proud to lead this strategic legislation alongside Senator Kelly to drive American competitiveness while also making a worthwhile investment in our future workforce."
A Similar Bill
In May, Kelly's colleague, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced a similar bipartisan bill focused on domestic tech manufacturing, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act. However, Gallego's bill takes a different approach by providing a 25% tax credit for the purchase or acquisition of American-made printed circuit boards (PCBs).
