Press Releases

Today, Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced legislation to expand opportunities for veterans to gain long-term, good-paying manufacturing jobs by boosting training opportunities for those transitioning from military to civilian life.

The Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act would invest $50 million across three states to create veterans manufacturing pilot programs that will offer targeted training and apprenticeships from employers and labor-management organizations.

“Our veterans possess invaluable skills and expertise, yet too many struggle to secure adequate employment upon returning to civilian life. This legislation gives Congress the opportunity to address this critical issue,” said DelBene. “The Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act will not only honor the service of our veterans but also empower them with the training needed to access stable, well-paying manufacturing jobs, ensuring they can thrive in their post-service careers."

“Manufacturing is a significant part of the economy in the Pacific Northwest, and there will be more jobs as the sector continues to grow. It’s important to open up these opportunities, including to veterans who are seeking meaningful employment after their service,” said Bonamici. “I’m glad to lead this bill with Congresswoman DelBene to help more veterans gain the skills they need to enter rewarding careers in manufacturing.”

Despite a decline in veteran unemployment since the peak of the pandemic, over 61% of veterans remain overqualified for their current roles, considering their military-learned skills and experiences. Veteran unemployment state-by-state ranges from as low as 1.6 percent to as high as 7.6 percent. Collectively, more than 380,000 unemployed veterans were struggling to find work in 2021. 

Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector faces a pressing need for skilled workers, with approximately 790,000 American job openings each month and a projected 2 million vacancies in the next decade, largely due to a skills gap in advanced manufacturing.

This legislation would bridge this gap by expanding access to skills training for U.S. veterans in manufacturing career pathways, ensuring veterans have the tools needed to translate their military skills to the civilian workforce, and encouraging manufacturers to recruit, hire, and train our nation’s returning heroes. 

The Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act is cosponsored by Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Annie Kuster (NH-02), Scott Peters (CA-52), and Deborah Ross (NC-02).

The full text of the legislation can be found here.