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 options for service members transitioning from military to civilian life. The Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act would invest $50 million into creating veteran manufacturing pilot programs that will offer targeted training and apprenticeships from employers and labor-management organizations.

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 296,000 veterans are unemployed and struggling to find jobs. This includes approximately 6,000 veterans in Washington. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector faces a pressing need for skilled workers, with approximately 462,000 job openings 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.

“Our veterans deserve access to well-paying, fulfilling jobs when they reenter civilian life,” said DelBene. “This bill aims to give veterans the tools they need to secure adequate employment, while addressing a growing shortage of skilled manufacturing workers. Veterans possess invaluable skills and expertise, and this legislation will help ensure they can thrive in a post-service career.”

“We have a responsibility to care for veterans, and that includes helping them transition to quality civilian jobs when their service ends,” said Bonamici. “Creating more career pathways for veterans will help connect them with well-paying jobs and strengthen the companies that gain qualified employees. I’m grateful to lead this legislation with Rep. DelBene to support veterans.”

The full text of the legislation can be found here.