Skip to main content

Modification of working group on the advanced manufacturing workforce

Division A · Title XVIII: Revitalization of the Defense Industrial Base · Subtitle E: Defense Industrial Base Workforce Matters

Plain-language summaryAI

The section expands the duties of a working group focused on the advanced manufacturing workforce in the defense industry to include identifying workforce training and certification needs, limitations in recruiting and training capacity, and ways to grow this workforce. It also requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report within 180 days assessing current training programs, exploring options to increase training capacity, supporting long-term program sustainability, and offering recommendations to speed up workforce development in defense manufacturing.

AI-generated from this section’s text — a quick orientation, not a substitute for the full text below. Not legal advice.

Section Text · Sec. 1882.
Source →PrevNext

(a) Expansion of responsibilities

Section 1843(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 ( Public Law 119–60 ) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (2), by striking skills and abilities that are required for such fields; and and inserting skills, abilities, training, and certifications that are required for such fields in the defense industrial base; ;

(2)

by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:

(3)

identify limitations to the capacity of entities in the defense industrial base to recruit, train, and certify a sufficient workforce in advanced manufacturing career fields in the defense industrial base; and

(4)

in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)—

(A)

in subparagraph (B), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;

(B)

by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and

(C)

by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph:

(C)

approaches to expand the capacity to develop and sustain a sufficient workforce in advanced manufacturing career fields in the defense industrial base; and

(b) Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report, which may be included along with or as an addendum to the report required under section 1843(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 ( Public Law 119–60 ), that includes—

(1)

an assessment of the extent to which existing pilot programs or initiatives, such as the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program, demonstrate the ability to train and certify individuals in advanced manufacturing career fields in the defense industrial base;

(2)

options for increasing the capacity to train and certify the advanced manufacturing workforce, including options to institutionalize existing pilot programs or initiatives or to establish new programs to address workforce shortages;

(3)

options for supporting the long-term sustainability and continuous improvement of workforce training and certification programs, including through public-private partnerships and other funding or cost-sharing mechanisms; and

(4)

any recommendations the Secretary may have to accelerate training, credentialing, and qualification of workers supporting the defense industrial base, including recommendations related to improving the Department’s planning and resourcing of such activities.